The Tragic Timeline: Everything We Know About Pop Smoke's Killer And The Final Sentencing Details

The murder of Bashar Barakah Jackson, globally known as Pop Smoke, remains one of the most shocking and senseless tragedies in modern music history. Nearly five years after the promising Brooklyn drill artist was killed during a home-invasion robbery in Los Angeles, the final chapters of the legal saga have concluded, providing a definitive, albeit painful, resolution for his family and fans. The most recent and crucial development, as of late 2024, centers on the final sentencing of the adult defendant, Corey Walker, who received a lengthy prison term for his role in the rapper’s death.

This article provides a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute look at the case, detailing the identities of the individuals charged, the chilling motive behind the crime, and the exact prison sentences handed down by the Los Angeles court, ensuring you have the freshest and most complete picture of this complex case.

Bashar Barakah Jackson: Pop Smoke Biography and Profile

Pop Smoke, born Bashar Barakah Jackson on July 20, 1999, was an American rapper who rapidly ascended to global fame before his life was tragically cut short. He was born and raised in Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York.

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• Full Name: Bashar Barakah Jackson
• Date of Birth: July 20, 1999
• Date of Death: February 19, 2020
• Age at Death: 20
• Hometown: Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: Jamaican (Mother) and Panamanian (Father)
• Genre: Drill, Hip Hop
• Breakthrough Hits: "Welcome to the Party" (2019), "Dior" (2019)
• Posthumous Album: Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon (2020)
• Cause of Death: Gunshot wounds sustained during a home-invasion robbery.

Pop Smoke was the face of Brooklyn drill music, bringing the genre to the international mainstream. His distinctively gravelly voice and charismatic presence made him a superstar in the making.

The Home Invasion: A Tragic Case of Social Media Tracking

The events leading to Pop Smoke's death on February 19, 2020, were a tragic culmination of bad luck and a critical security lapse. The rapper was staying at a rented home in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles, an Airbnb property owned by reality star Teddi Mellencamp and her husband.

The Fatal Mistake: An Instagram Post

Authorities later confirmed that the suspects were led directly to the rental property by Pop Smoke's own social media activity.

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• The rapper or someone in his circle posted photos online that inadvertently revealed the address of the house.
• Crucially, a photo posted to Instagram showed a gift bag from a luxury brand that contained the house’s address.
• Another post showed Pop Smoke holding a large amount of cash and wearing an expensive diamond-encrusted watch, which became the primary target of the robbery.

The motive was not a targeted hit related to gang activity or a music feud, but a simple, opportunistic home-invasion robbery for high-value items, specifically the rapper's jewelry and cash.

The Attack

Four individuals—two adults and two juveniles—broke into the residence around 4:30 a.m.

During a confrontation inside the home, the 20-year-old rapper was shot multiple times. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

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The Sentences: Who Were Pop Smoke’s Killers?

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office charged four individuals in connection with the murder. The legal process was lengthy, involving plea deals and juvenile court proceedings, but the final sentences have provided closure on the matter of justice.

1. Corey Walker: The Adult Accomplice

Corey Walker, who was 19 at the time of the crime and the only adult charged in the case, was considered the primary accomplice and getaway driver.

• The Plea: Walker initially faced a potential death penalty or life in prison without parole. In a significant development, he pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of home-invasion robbery.
• The Sentence: In a Los Angeles County court, Walker was sentenced to 29 years in state prison.
• Remorse: Walker expressed remorse in court, apologizing to Pop Smoke's family for his role in the shooting death.

2. The Juvenile Shooter

The individual who actually pulled the trigger was a 15-year-old male at the time of the crime. His identity has been protected due to his age at the time of the offense.

• The Admission: The shooter, who was 18 at the time of his admission, confessed to the killing during a recorded conversation with a cellmate in juvenile detention, stating he shot the rapper after a struggle for a watch.
• The Plea: He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home-invasion robbery in juvenile court.
• The Sentence: He was sentenced to four years in juvenile hall, a much shorter term due to the limitations of the juvenile justice system.

3. Keandre Rodgers and the Fourth Defendant

The two other individuals charged in the case were Keandre Rodgers and a second juvenile.

• Keandre Rodgers: He was 18 at the time of the murder. Along with Walker, he was initially charged with murder with a special circumstance allegation, which could have led to the death penalty.
• The Second Juvenile: This individual, whose name is also protected, was the fourth person involved in the home invasion.

All four defendants ultimately faced charges of murder, robbery, and burglary, but the final convictions varied based on their specific plea deals and whether they were charged as adults or minors. The sentences for the final two defendants were also handled through plea agreements, solidifying the total number of individuals held accountable for Pop Smoke's death.

The Lasting Legacy of Pop Smoke and Topical Authority

While the legal proceedings have concluded, the impact of Pop Smoke's career remains immense. His death highlighted the dangers celebrities face from social media oversharing and the dark side of instant fame.

The case has become a major point of discussion for topical authority in true crime and celebrity security, often cited alongside other tragic celebrity home invasions. The final sentences, particularly the disparity between the adult accomplice's 29-year term and the shooter's four-year juvenile term, sparked significant public debate about justice, accomplice liability, and the complexities of the juvenile justice system in high-profile murder cases.

Pop Smoke’s music, including his critically acclaimed posthumous album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, continues to dominate streaming charts, ensuring that the legacy of Bashar Barakah Jackson, the "Woo," lives on. The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability that comes with sharing one's life on platforms like Instagram and the devastating consequences of opportunistic crime.