The four suspects allegedly involved in the killing of Pop Smoke have been charged with murder and some of them could face the death penalty, according to TMZ.
The two men — Corey Walker and Keandre Rodgers — were each charged with murder with special circumstance allegation since the shooting took place during a robbery. If convicted, they could face the death penalty. Prosecutors will reportedly decide later whether or not they want to pursue the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The two other suspects’ names are being withheld because they are only 15 and 17 years old. They will be charged with murder and robbery in juvenile court. A fifth person was arrested on Thursday (July 9), but it is unclear if that person will face charges as well.
On February 19, Pop Smoke was fatally shot inside of a Hollywood Hills home he was renting. He suffered several gunshot wounds and was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he later died.
After months of investigating the shooting, authorities finally revealed that they had made arrests. On July 9, the Los Angeles Police Department shared the identities and bail amounts of the suspects who were arrested. “LAPD Detectives have arrested three adult males & two juvenile males related to the Feb 19 murder of Bashar Jackson, a New York based rapper known as Pop Smoke,” the LAPD tweeted. “We will provide further details as they become available.”
The bail for all three adult suspects was set at $1,000,000. “Suspects 1 and 2—as well as the two juvenile suspects—were booked for 187(a) PC- Murder, and bail was set for all at $1,000,000 for the two adults. Suspect 3 was booked for 664/187(a) PC- Attempted Murder, and bail was also set at $1,000,000,” the tweet read.
Capt. Jonathan Tippet said the suspects likely went to the home because they knew Pop would be there. They received his address after the “Dior” rapper accidentally posted it on social media. The suspects did steal items from the home, but authorities did not say what they stole. They are also believed to be members of a South Los Angeles gang.