Silentó Sentenced to 30 Years for Cousin’s Death

LITHONIA, Ga. — Ricky Lamar Hawk, 27, known as Silentó, pleaded guilty to charges related to the 2021 shooting death of his cousin, Frederick Rooks III, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced Wednesday.

Hawk entered a guilty but mentally ill plea to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during a crime, and concealing the death of another. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson.

The shooting occurred on Jan. 21, 2021, around 3:37 a.m. when DeKalb County Police found Rooks with multiple gunshot wounds at the intersection of Deep Shoals Circle and Corners Crossing in Panthersville. Emergency Medical Services confirmed Rooks’ death at the scene.

Investigators discovered ten bullet casings near Rooks’ body, and several witnesses reported hearing gunshots. Security footage captured a white BMW SUV speeding away just minutes after the shooting. Family members indicated that Rooks had last been seen with Hawk, who picked him up in the same type of vehicle observed on camera.

Police also noted that the SUV was identified by a Flock camera at the intersection of Panthersville Road and Flat Shoals Road at 2:45 a.m. that morning.

Hawk was arrested on Feb. 1, 2021, and admitted to shooting Rooks. His confession was supported by physical evidence, including ballistics analyses that matched the casings found at the scene to a gun discovered with Hawk during his arrest. Additionally, GPS data connected his vehicle to the location of the murder.

Chanel Hudson, who identified herself as Silentó’s publicist, requested the public send “some positive vibrations” to Hawk, citing his mental health struggles. Hudson described Hawk as a “beautiful soul,” encouraging his supporters to keep him in their prayers.