Fact Check: "The charges stem from the Jan. 21, 2021, shooting of Frederick Rooks III, 34."
What We Know
The claim that the charges against rapper Silentó (real name Ricky Lamar Hawk) are related to the shooting of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III, on January 21, 2021, is supported by multiple credible sources. On that date, Rooks was found with multiple gunshot wounds in a residential area of Decatur, Georgia, and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency workers (source-1). The DeKalb County Police Department reported that ten bullet casings were discovered near Rooks' body, indicating a violent incident (source-3).
Silentó was arrested on February 1, 2021, and during an interview with investigators, he admitted to shooting Rooks (source-4). He later pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges including voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime, with a murder charge being dropped as part of a plea agreement (source-5).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from multiple reputable news outlets, including The New York Times, CBS News, and USA Today. Each of these sources provides consistent details regarding the timeline of events, the nature of the charges, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Frederick Rooks III. The reports confirm that Rooks was shot and killed on January 21, 2021, and that Silentó was involved in the incident, ultimately leading to his guilty plea (source-2, source-6).
The sources used are credible, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. They provide detailed accounts of the legal proceedings and the tragic circumstances surrounding Rooks' death. The consistency across these reports strengthens the reliability of the information presented.
Conclusion
The claim that the charges against Silentó stem from the January 21, 2021, shooting of Frederick Rooks III is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Rooks was indeed shot and killed on that date, and Silentó was charged and later pleaded guilty to related offenses.
Sources
- The Rapper Silentó Gets 30 Years in Prison for Fatal ... New York Times
- lithonia man pleads guilty in 2021 murder of cousin DeKalb County District Attorney
- Atlanta rapper Silentó sentenced to 30 years in cousin's ... CBS News
- Silento pleads guilty but mentally ill to cousin's killing USA Today
- Silentó Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Killing His Cousin People
- Rapper Silento sentenced to 30 years for 2021 death of ... Fox 5 Atlanta
- 'Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)' rapper Silentó sentenced to 30 ... 6abc
- Atlanta rapper Silentó gets 30 years after pleading guilty to ... KPLC
