A man charged in the 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke during a robbery at a Hollywood Hills mansion has accepted a plea deal, avoiding a trial on a murder charge that was set to begin Thursday. Corey Walker, 24, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of robbery in exchange for a 29-year prison sentence, to be finalized at a later hearing.
Walker was the only adult charged in the case, along with three individuals who were juveniles at the time of the crime, including a 15-year-old gunman. All parties involved have reached separate agreements.
Authorities stated that Walker led the group to the rented mansion where the 20-year-old rapper, Pop Smoke, was killed on February 19, 2020, during a visit to Los Angeles. The robbers had obtained the address after Pop Smoke posted a photo on social media revealing the location.
During the incident, the rapper was attacked by masked individuals while he was in the shower. A struggle ensued, resulting in the 15-year-old gunman pistol-whipping and fatally shooting Pop Smoke three times in the back. The assailants stole his diamond-studded Rolex watch, which was later sold for $2,000.
Pop Smoke, born and raised in Brooklyn, gained prominence in the hip-hop scene in 2018 with hits like “Welcome to the Party.” His posthumously released album, “Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon,” further solidified his impact on the music industry.
