Fact Check: Ricky Lamar Hawk, 27, who performs as Silentó, entered the plea on Wednesday for charges including voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and concealing the death of another.

Fact Check: "Ricky Lamar Hawk, 27, who performs as Silentó, entered the plea on Wednesday for charges including voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and concealing the death of another."

What We Know

Ricky Lamar Hawk, known professionally as Silentó, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to several charges stemming from the shooting death of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III, in January 2021. On June 11, 2025, Hawk pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges including voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and concealing the death of another. A murder charge was dropped as part of the plea agreement. The incident occurred on January 21, 2021, when Rooks was found with multiple gunshot wounds, and evidence linked Hawk to the crime, including security footage and ballistics testing that matched casings found at the scene to a gun in Hawk's possession at the time of his arrest (source-5).

Analysis

The claim regarding Silentó's plea and the associated charges is corroborated by multiple reliable sources. The details provided in the claim are consistent with reports from reputable news outlets such as CBS News and ABC News, which confirm that Hawk pleaded guilty to the specified charges. Additionally, the DeKalb County District Attorney has publicly stated the charges and the circumstances surrounding the case, further validating the information.

The sources used for this fact-check are credible, including major news organizations and official statements from law enforcement. The consistency across these sources indicates a high level of reliability. Furthermore, the context of Hawk's mental health struggles, as discussed in interviews and statements from his attorney, adds depth to the narrative surrounding his actions and plea (source-4).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Ricky Lamar Hawk, performing as Silentó, entered a plea for charges including voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and concealing the death of another is accurate. This information is supported by multiple credible sources, confirming the details of his guilty plea and the circumstances of the case.

Sources

1. The Rapper Silentó Gets 30 Years in Prison for Fatal ...
2. Atlanta rapper Silentó sentenced to 30 years in cousin's deadly ...
3. 'Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)' rapper Silentó sentenced to 30 ...
4. One-Hit Wonder Pleads Guilty To Horrific Crime And Gets 30 Years
5. Lithonia rapper Silentó pleads guilty, sentenced to 30 years ... - Atlanta
6. lithonia man pleads guilty in 2021 murder of cousin
7. Silentó goes from viral fame to 30-year manslaughter sentence - Los ...
8. Atlanta rapper Silentó gets 30 years after pleading guilty to ...