Rap star Silento has been arrested and charged with the murder of his own cousin following a fatal shooting.
The 23-year-old rapper – real name Richard Lamar Hawk – became a global hit in 2015.
He was arrested on Monday following the fatal shooting of Frederick Rooks last month – said to be the musician’s cousin.
DeKalb County Police Department in Georgia announced the news that the rap star had been arrested and charged on Monday.
They stated on Twitter: “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.”
They report: “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.”
While XXL mag gives graphic details saying police responded to reports of the shooting on Jan 21 at 3.30 am to find violent scenes. They report: “the deceased man sustained gunshot wounds to the face and leg, and was bleeding severely.”
Silento’s arrest follows other run-ins with the law in recent months.
He was reportedly arrested in October for speeding at 143 miles per hour.
While in September, he was charged with 2 felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly threatening people with an ax.
Silento found fame in 2015 with the release of his track Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) which was a viral smash on YouTube.
The track sparked a dance craze that was popularised by everyone from Ellen DeGeneres to Hillary Clinton.
While the track went on to sell millions of copies around the world and chart at number 19 in the UK, and number 3 in the USA.
