Man Pleads Guilty in Rapper Pop Smoke’s Fatal 2020 Hollywood Hills Shooting

Corey Walker Faces 29 Years in Prison for Voluntary Manslaughter and Home-Invasion Robbery

A 24-year-old man pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of home-invasion robbery in connection with the 2020 fatal shooting of rapper Pop Smoke in the Hollywood Hills.

Guilty Plea and Sentencing

Corey Walker, who was 19 at the time of the killing, faces 29 years in prison when he is sentenced on February 21. He could have faced life in prison without the possibility of parole if he had been tried and convicted on the original charges, which included murder, robbery, and burglary.

Background of the Case

Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Jackson, was found mortally wounded at a short-term rental home at 2033 Hercules Drive in the Hollywood Hills on February 19, 2020. He was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Walker was one of four people, and the only adult, arrested and charged in connection with the killing. The other three defendants were all charged in juvenile court, and their names were withheld due to their ages.

Juvenile Defendants’ Pleas

In 2023, one of the juvenile defendants, who was 15 at the time of the killing, admitted a first-degree murder charge in juvenile court, along with an allegation he personally discharged a handgun. He also admitted a home-invasion robbery count, and he was expected to remain held in a juvenile facility until he turns 25.

Another juvenile defendant admitted one count each of voluntary manslaughter and home-invasion robbery, and the third admitted a charge of home-invasion robbery.

Investigation and Arrests

Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Steve Lurie said the 911 call that brought police to the Hercules Drive address came from someone on the East Coast who said a friend’s home was being broken into by multiple suspects, and that one of them was armed with a handgun.

The suspects were wearing masks and were last seen running from the home and possibly getting into a nearby vehicle. The four were taken into custody just under five months later.

Rapper’s Career and Legacy

Pop Smoke released an album in July 2019, and one of the songs, “Welcome to the Party,” was considered by some the song of the summer. Nicki Minaj did a remix of the song a few months later.

The rapper also collaborated with Travis Scott on a song called “Gatti.”

Pop Smoke was named top new artist, top rap artist, and top male rap artist at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2021, while his “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon” won top rap album and top Billboard 200 album.

Rapper’s Mother’s Statement

The rapper’s mother, Audrey Jackson, accepted the top Billboard 200 album award on her late son’s behalf, saying then that she wanted to “thank the fans for honoring the life and spirit of my son so much that he continues to manifest as if he were still here in the flesh.”

“He created music for the kid who has to sleep four in a room, the kid who has to figure out how to get to school each day so he can graduate and make his mom proud,” she added. “He did this so that 14-year-olds would not have to kill to prove that they are somebody. That is the irony in this.”

Photos from the Party

According to various media reports, the New York rapper posted photos earlier on the day of the killing or late the night before from a party at the home, even revealing the address. According to TMZ, one of the photos showed a person holding a large sum of money.

Conclusion

The guilty plea of Corey Walker brings closure to the case of Pop Smoke’s tragic death. The rapper’s music and legacy continue to inspire and influence fans around the world.

FAQs

Q: Who is Corey Walker?
A: Corey Walker is a 24-year-old man who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of home-invasion robbery in connection with the 2020 fatal shooting of rapper Pop Smoke.

Q: What was the motive behind the killing?
A: The motive behind the killing is still unclear, but it is believed to have been a home-invasion robbery.

Q: What was Pop Smoke’s career like?
A: Pop Smoke was a rising rapper from New York who released an album in July 2019 and collaborated with several other artists, including Nicki Minaj and Travis Scott. He was named top new artist, top rap artist, and top male rap artist at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2021.