Rap star Silento – made famous by his hit track Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) – has been arrested for the alleged murder of his own cousin.
Silento – real name Ricky Hawk – was arrested and taken in to custody by the DeKalb County Police Department earlier today in relation to the death of his cousin Frederick Rooks on January 21.
“Today, Ricky Hawk, 23, was arrested for the murder of his cousin Frederick Rooks, 34. On January 21, the DeKalb County Police Department investigated Rooks’ death after he was found shot on Deep Shoals Circle. Hawk is in the DeKalb County Jail charged with murder,” a tweet from the DKPD read.
Today, Ricky Hawk, 23, was arrested for the murder of his cousin Frederick Rooks, 34. On January 21, the DeKalb County Police Department investigated Rooks’ death after he was found shot on Deep Shoals Circle. Hawk is in the DeKalb County Jail charged with Murder. #WeAreDKPD pic.twitter.com/AfaA8CtXgx
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) February 1, 2021
According to DeKalb police Lt Rod Bryant, police responded to a shots fired call on January 21 at approximately 3.30am, where they found Rooks dead at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds.
At the time, police had no information about the suspect, but have since confirmed the suspect to be Silento.
“However, after a thorough investigation, DKPD detectives identified Hawk as Rooks’ cousin, and the person responsible for Rooks’ murder,” police spokeswoman Michaela Vincent told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The news comes after the rapper, age 23, has been arrested multiple times in recent months in connection to domestic violence, weapons and speeding charges.
A motive for the alleged murder is yet to be established, however the official police report claims that eight bullet casings were found at the scene.
Silento remains in police custody.
More to come.
