It still stings to realize that rapper Pop Smoke was senselessly murdered on Feb. 19, 2020. He was just 20 years old. Smoke (real name: Bashar Jackson) suffered from multiple gunshot wounds after a home invasion. He was later pronounced dead at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
In May 2023, the now 18-year-old shooter, who was 15 at the time, admitted to “shooting and killing” Smoke, per the Los Angeles Times. The outlet shared that he is currently in “a juvenile facility where he is expected to remain until he turns 25.”
Corey Walker will begin trial in late June 2024.
A trial date has been set for Walker, one of the four suspects charged in the fatal shooting of the drill artist. Walker, who was 19 at the time of the crime, is set to go to trial on June 25, 2024, in L.A. Walker is the only defendant charged as an adult and has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder and three counts related to a home robbery. The other individuals were minors at the time of the crime and were subsequently charged due to their ages. Another adult suspect, Keandre Morgan, has yet to face conviction.
According to Rolling Stone, prosecutors are arguing that Walker “facilitated the crime by surveilling the crime scene before the home invasion took place, as well as serving as the researcher, getaway driver, weapons provider, and planner of the robbery.”
Walker’s former defense attorney, Christopher Darden, maintains that his ex-client’s involvement in the crime was not that extensive. He argued that Walker was not the mastermind behind the home invasion robbery but only served as the getaway driver, remaining in the car during the attack.
The incident unfolded in mid-February 2020.
On Feb. 19, 2020, Pop Smoke was visiting L.A. when he posted to Instagram showing a gift bag from a clothing brand. In the shot, the address of the Hollywood Hills home he was staying in was visible. That same day, four individuals broke into the house while he was sleeping, shooting him three times. In addition to shooting Smoke, they stole his diamond-studded Rolex.
In February 2024, Amelia Rose, the woman who was with the rapper when his life was tragically cut short, paid tribute to him.
“We didn’t know each other at all, but it was you who changed my life,” Rose expressed in an Instagram post. “I never thought I would become a witness to a murder and someone’s death. Feb. 19, 2020, was the worst day of my life. I will never forget your smile when you turned on the movie “Hitch.”
She continued: “I will never forget how scared we were that night when we looked into each other’s eyes and realized we were about to be killed. I remember what I thought at that moment — am I really going to die and my mother will never see me again? God gave me a second chance. That’s four years of depression. Four years were so hard. But I thank God for life. I will never forget you. You will forever be in my heart. Rest in peace, @realpopsmoke.”
Pop Smoke’s career was just beginning to take off.
In the years prior to his death, Smoke’s career began to take off. He rose to fame following the release of hit singles “Welcome To The Party” and “Dior.” He’s also been credited with reintroducing Brooklyn drill music onto the scene. By 2020, he had two mixtapes under his belt and was preparing for his “Meet the Woo” tour until his tragic death.
His debut album was released posthumously and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Corey Walker’s trial will likely make waves when the defendant takes the stand on June 25, 2024. As another chapter in the Pop Smoke saga unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Walker’s fate will be decided.
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