Late American rapper, Pop Smoke, 20, was allegedly murdered by a 15-year-old shooter during a home invasion robbery in February 2020.
According to the New York Daily News, LAPD Det. Carlos Camacho testified on Friday that the teenager was one of the five people arrested in connection with the rapper’s slaying, which occurred following a home invasion.
The group stormed Pop Smoke’s rented mansion in the Hollywood Hills on Feb. 19, 2020, and tried to take his Cuban link chain, but only got away with the diamond-studded watch, which they later resold for $2,000.
LAPD Det. Carlos Camacho testified during a preliminary hearing for the suspect, Corey Walker, 20, that the unnamed 15-year-old defendant admitted to pulling the trigger during a recorded interview with a cellmate last May at a juvenile detention centre.
Camacho told the court. “The teen admitted that he shot the victim three times with a Baretta 9mm” They got into a fight, and he shot him three times. He said he shot him on the back. He said that when the individuals got inside, the suspects confronted [Pop Smoke], who was in the shower naked.”
Camacho also testified that Walker admitted his role in the slaying as well to an informant who was placed in his cell following his July 2020 arrest.
Walker was recorded telling the informant they wore ski masks and commanded the rapper to take off his jewellery. Pop reportedly initially started to comply, to which the intruders told him “Thank you.” However, according to Walker, the rapper then fought back. He rushed robbers but was pistol-whipped before being shot by the 15-year-old.
They were only able to make off with one of Pop’s expensive watches, which they later sold for $2,000, investigators say.
During the hearing, Walker’s defence attorney, Christopher Darden, argued for murder charges against his client to be dropped, saying Walker only drove the car to the home and was not directly involved with the robbery or killing. Judge H. Clay Jacke II denied Darden’s request and Walker pleaded not guilty. Walker is due back in court for rearrangement on June 3.
The alleged shooter, the youngest of the four defendants, is now facing murder and robbery charges in the case.
On Thursday, Det. Christian Carrasco testified that a woman who was with Pop Smoke in the home recalled seeing a group of men enter through a second-story balcony accessible by a backyard staircase.
The woman claims the intruders breached the home through a second-floor balcony, put a gun to her head, and told her “Shut the fuck up. Do you want to die?”
Detective Carrasco said. “She heard a struggle coming from the shower area and heard Mr Jackson screaming. Mr Jackson ran out of the bathroom and then she heard a loud pop and [heard] Mr Jackson fall to the ground”
Walker is due back in court for rearrangement on June 3. If convicted as charged, he could face the death penalty.