Rapper Silento arrested: ‘Watch Me’ artist charged with murdering his cousin
2 February 2021, 11:29 | Updated: 3 February 2021, 10:19
The 'Watch Me' rapper was arrested and charged for murdering his own cousin, following a fatal shooting.
US rap star Silento has been arrested and charged with the murder of his own cousin following a fatal shooting.
Silento charged after attacking two strangers with a hatchet
The 23-year-old rapper rose to fame in 2015 with the release of his hit single 'Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)'.
Update 3/2/2021 - Silento’s publicist has issued a statement on her Instagram, following the rapper’s arrest on murder charges.
On Tuesday (Feb 2) Chanel Hudson pleaded for understanding for her Ricky, who she said suffers from "mental health illnesses."
In the statement, Hudson wrote: "Over the past several years, Ricky has been suffering immensely from a series of mental health illnesses."
"We will continue in his efforts of treatment, but we ask in the meantime the public uplifts him and his family in immediate prayers & positive energy!!" Hudson wrote.
She added "[He] is a beautiful soul and we hope the same people who came up whippin' and nay naying with him continue to support him."
On Monday (Feb 1) the rapper, real name Richard Lamar Hawk, was arrested following the fatal shooting of Frederick Rooks last month. Rooks is said to be Hawk's cousin.
DeKalb County Police Department in Georgia announced the that the rapper had been arrested and charged on Monday, via their Twitter account.
On Twitter, the DeKalb County Police Department revealed: "Today, Ricky Hawk, 23, was arrested for the murder of his cousin Frederick Rooks, 34." on Monday.
On Thursday (Jan 21) the police investigated Rooks' death after he was found shot on Deep Shoals Circle.
"Hawk is in the DeKalb County Jail charged with Murder. #WeAreDKPD."
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 a TMZ report, the publication states: "Cops say they found Rooks shot to death inside a home on Jan. 21 ... and 8 bullet casings were reportedly found at the scene."
They added: "Cops say they still don't have a clear motive behind the shooting."
More details of the shooting were reported by XXL, revealing that police responded to reports of the shooting on Jan 21 at 3.30am to find graphic and violent scenes.
They report: "the deceased man sustained gunshot wounds to the face and leg, and was bleeding severely."
In recent months, Silento has had a few run ins with the law. The 'Watch Me' rapper was reportedly arrested for speeding at 143 miler per hour in October last year.
In September, Silento was also charged with 2 felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly threatening people with an axe.
In 2015, Silento quickly rose to fame when he released his viral track 'Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)' on YouTube.
