First Suspect Sentenced in Fatal 2020 Shooting of Pop Smoke

One of the suspects involved in the fatal 2020 shooting of drill rapper Pop Smoke has been sentenced.

On Thursday, the defendant pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery.

According to  Judge J. Christopher Smith, the defendant was sentenced to four years and two months in the Secure Youth Treatment Facility.

The suspect’s name was not released to the public since he was a teenager when the crime was committed.

Additionally, two other minor defendants and 19-year-old Corey Walker are being charged with the murder of Pop Smoke.

According to Deputy District Attorney Hilary Williams,  the defendant who pleaded guilty played more than just a small role in the crime.

In addition to scouting the mansion, the defendant also assisted Walker in finding three other minors to help rob Pop Smoke and kept in “constant communication” with Walker, who waited in the getaway car.

Martin Lijtmaer, the defense lawyer, claimed that his client had an intellectual disability. However, in August, a physiologist found him to be faking. 

Later, a judge concluded that although the defendant had an intellectual disability, he was capable of standing trial.

“I don’t know how you and your friends even came to the idea to rob someone, someone whose life was taken unnecessarily,” Smith told the young man. “Mr. Jackson is not [coming home]. His life is done because of what you and your friends did. You owe. You owe.”

In Feb 2020, robbers broke into his LA Airbnb after the rapper mistakenly posted the address to his location. He was then pistol-whipped and shot in the back 3 times. The suspects got away with a Diamond Rolex, which they sold for $2,000.