One of Pop Smoke‘s killers allegedly has been released from juvenile detention. Images of the purported killer are spreading across social media.
Pop Smoke’s Killer Reportedly Released From Juvenile Detention
On Sunday (June 23), a series of photos surfaced on social media of one of Pop Smoke’s killers. In one image, the alleged killer is sitting in a car gesturing with fingers. He captioned the photo: “21” along with a person with a crown emoji and a face with a peeking eye emoji.
In another image, the alleged killer is outside and is looking at his phone. A final image shows him holding a bottle of Don Julio tequila blanco. “[face with a peeking eye emoji] Come take a shot,” he captioned the photo.
The alleged killer was one out of the five suspects who was involved in the shooting death of Pop Smoke on Feb. 19, 2020. The late Brooklyn rapper, born Bashar Jackson, was shot and killed during a home invasion at a California residence he was staying at. The five suspects were charged with murder and robbery.
Read More: Pop Smoke’s Murder Detailed By Woman Who Witnessed His Death
Murder Suspect Admits to Killing Pop Smoke
In May 2023, during a juvenile court hearing, a then-18-year-old man confessed to committing the murder of Pop Smoke. At the time of the crime, the suspect was 15 years old. The young man also admitted to the charges of home invasion robbery.
The suspect’s name was withheld from the media, per L.A. County Superior Court Judge J. Christopher Smith’s court order. In the courtroom, Judge Smith reprimanded the then-18-year-old defendant and his then-19-year-old co-defendant for their senseless act of taking a life without any justifiable cause.
The 18-year-old defendant was expected to remain incarcerated in a state juvenile facility until he turned 25.
Meanwhile, a 20-year-old suspect at the time pleaded guilty in April of 2023 for his role in the killing of Pop Smoke. That suspect was sentenced to four years and two months in the Secure Youth Treatment Facility and could remain in juvenile custody until he was 25. The other three suspects: one juvenile defendant, Corey Walker and Keandre Rodgers have yet to be sentenced.
Read More: 15 Rappers With the Most Unique Voices Over the Last Few Years
See the Current Status of Every Murdered Rapper’s Case
XXL takes a look at the current status of the cases of hip-hop murders that have occurred over the past 35 years.