Lone Adult Sentenced to 29 Years in State Prison for Killing of Rapper Pop Smoke in Hollywood Hills

Corey Walker Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter and Home-Invasion Robbery

Corey Walker, a 19-year-old at the time of the killing, was sentenced to 29 years in state prison on Friday, February 21, for his role in the 2020 murder of rap artist Pop Smoke in Hollywood Hills.

Walker pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of home-invasion robbery on February 5 in downtown Los Angeles. He could have faced life in prison without the possibility of parole if he had been tried and convicted on the original allegations, which included murder during the course of a robbery.

Background of the Crime

Walker was one of four people charged in connection with the killing of 20-year-old rapper Bashar Jackson, also known as Pop Smoke. The other three defendants, all juveniles at the time of the crime, were charged in juvenile court and their names were withheld due to their ages.

On the night of February 19, 2020, Walker and a 17-year-old drove to a short-term rental home on Hercules Drive in the Hollywood Hills, where they cased the house with their headlights off. They later returned with three teenagers and another person, whose identity was not released, and entered the home.

Walker admitted to providing a 9mm firearm to one of the juveniles and that the group stole a Rolex watch, jewelry, and a purse from the home. The watch was later sold for $2,000.

LAPD Investigation

The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a 911 call from someone on the East Coast who reported a home being broken into by multiple suspects, one of whom was armed with a handgun. When officers arrived, they found the victim inside the house had been shot, and he was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The four defendants were taken into custody just under five months later.

Pop Smoke’s Career and Legacy

Pop Smoke released an album in July 2019, which included a song called “Welcome to the Party” that was considered one of the songs of the summer. He also collaborated with Travis Scott on a song called “Gatti.” In May 2021, he was named top new artist, top rap artist, and top male rap artist at the Billboard Music Awards, and his album “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon” won top rap album and top Billboard 200 album.

Conclusion

The sentence of 29 years in state prison for Corey Walker brings closure to the case of the tragic killing of Pop Smoke, a talented young rapper who was taken from us far too soon. We hope that this case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the importance of addressing the root causes of crime in our society.

FAQs

* What was the sentence of Corey Walker?
+ 29 years in state prison
* What were the charges against Corey Walker?
+ Voluntary manslaughter and two counts of home-invasion robbery
* How old was Corey Walker at the time of the crime?
+ 19 years old
* What was the motive behind the crime?
+ The motive behind the crime is still unclear, but it is believed to have been driven by financial gain.