On February 19th, 2020, Bashar Barakah Jackson, a.k.a Pop Smoke, a rising star in Brooklyn's drill music scene, died via a gunshot wound. The murder occurred during a home invasion at a Los Angeles rental house. He was only 20 years old.
Prior to his death, Pop Smoke had released his second compilation album, Meet the Woo 2. This album debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200, marking his first top-10 hit in the US.
What We Know About Pop Smoke's Murder
According to prosecutors, on the day of Pop Smoke's murder, Corey Walker and four others arrived at the house just after 4 a.m. When they got there, their goal was to locate luxury goods including a diamond-encrusted watch that Pop Smoke had flaunted on his social media pages. Allegedly, four of the five individuals entered the residence.
On July 9, 2020, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that they had apprehended five people in connection to the killing of Pop Smoke. Shortly after, prosecutors revealed that four of those suspects faced charges with the slaying. Corey Walker, who was 19 years old at the time, Keandre Rodgers, who was 18, and two minors, whose identities remain undisclosed due to their age, were among those charged. The police did not charge the fifth person taken into custody.
The Alleged Shooter Was Only 15 Years Old
Los Angeles Police Department detective Carlos Camacho stated, as reported by the New York Daily News that the 15-year-old suspect delivered the fatal shot. Camacho further alleged that Walker confessed to having requested the rapper's gold chain and watch before engaging in a confrontation with him.
According to prosecutors, the masked assailants confronted Pop Smoke in his upstairs bedroom while he took a shower. The 15-year-old suspect shot him after a struggle and allegedly kicked him as the rapper was on the floor. The robbers allegedly expressed gratitude when they believed Pop Smoke would comply, but he ultimately fought back. As a result, the robbers pistol-whipped him, and the 15-year-old fired, striking Pop Smoke in the chest. The source of these details was reportedly a recorded conversation with an alleged informant in May 2020.
Walker's Alleged Confession
According to a report by The New York Daily News, Walker admitted his involvement in Pop Smoke's death in a secret conversation with an informant in his jail cell. Despite pleading not guilty, Walker supposedly revealed that he and his accomplices wore ski masks and gloves.
They also utilized a police scanner to avoid detection during their robbery attempt. Law enforcement officials testified that all four suspects became aware of Pop Smoke's location through his Instagram posts. Detective Frank Flores of the Los Angeles Police Department testified that surveillance footage shows Walker's connection to Pop Smoke's murder.
According to The New York Daily News, the video showed an Infinity vehicle transporting the suspects to the location of the crime. The license plate number belongs to Walker. The newspaper also reported that Walker was in the same vehicle at another time when police stopped it for an unrelated matter before the murder.
Walker's Lawyer Files For Dismissal
In October 2021, Walker, who was 20 years old, appeared in a Los Angeles court while his defense lawyer, Christopher Darden. They submitted a motion to dismiss his charges of murder and robbery. Darden argued that Walker had explicitly expressed his disapproval of violence before the murder.
A filing submitted by Darden argued that Walker did not enter the house. It states that he was not armed and did not share the intent to murder. Darden stated that his client was only the driver of the vehicle and remained outside. Walker claimed that he knew that they brought a weapon but made it clear that it should not be used. Instead, he suggested using a flower vase if necessary. After the robbers exited the house, Walker learned of the shooting and subsequently assaulted the shooter.
Corey Walker, who is now 21 years old, was scheduled to begin trial on October 13, 2022, in a Los Angeles court. However, his defense attorney requested a postponement. The Superior Court Judge, Curtis B. Rappe, granted the request.. Walker will face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted as charged. District Attorney’s office announced they would not seek the death penalty.
Suspect Pleads Guilty To Voluntary Manslaughter In Pop Smoke Murder
One of four men charged with murder pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in April 2023. The individual was 17 years old at the time of the crime and also entered a guilty plea for home invasion robbery. As a result, the judge sentenced K to spend four years and two months in a juvenile facility. According to The Los Angeles Times, he did not receive any credit for time served at a juvenile detention center. A pretrial hearing begins on May 5 for the remaining defendants in the Pop Smoke murder.