Man Sentenced to 29 Years for Role in Pop Smoke’s 2020 Murder

Corey Walker, the only adult charged in connection with the Hollywood Hills murder of Pop Smoke, has been sentenced to 29 years in state prison.

Walker, who was 19 at the time of the killing, pleaded guilty earlier this month to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of home-invasion robbery. He also admitted to gang and firearm enhancements. Originally facing a possible life sentence without parole, Walker accepted a plea deal, avoiding a trial where he could have been convicted of murder during a robbery.

Pop Smoke, born Bashar Jackson, was just 20 years old when he was shot and killed during a home invasion on February 19, 2020. The attack took place at a rental home in the Hollywood Hills, where the rapper had been staying.

Walker was one of four people charged in the case. The other three suspects were juveniles at the time and were charged in juvenile court. In 2023, a 15-year-old suspect admitted to first-degree murder and to personally firing the gun that killed Pop Smoke. He is expected to remain in a juvenile facility until he turns 25. Another juvenile pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home-invasion robbery, while the third admitted to home-invasion robbery. Their current custody status is unclear.

As part of his plea, Walker admitted to helping plan the robbery after learning that Pop Smoke was staying at the house. He drove to the location twice—once at 2 a.m. to scope it out, and again at 4 a.m. with the rest of the group. He also provided a 9mm firearm to one of the juveniles, researched the property online, and coordinated communication while his accomplices entered the home.

The group stole Pop Smoke’s Rolex watch, jewelry, and a purse, later selling the watch for just $2,000.

A 911 call from the East Coast alerted police to the robbery, reporting that multiple armed suspects had broken in. Officers arrived within six minutes, finding Pop Smoke inside with a fatal gunshot wound. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Reports suggest that Pop Smoke may have accidentally revealed his rental home’s address on social media hours before the attack. A now-infamous photo from a party at the home included someone flashing a large amount of cash, possibly making him a target.