Rapper Silento Charged with the Shooting Death of Older Cousin

By: Adam Beam 2/6/21

Photo Courtesy: DeKalb County Sheriff Office

The year is 2015 and a young new artist named Silento released his hit song "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)", and put the titular dance moves into modern pop culture. To this day the song remains a regular at weddings and school dances around the world, and currently sits at over one and half billion Youtube views.

While the artist has remained mostly out of the spotlight since the song's release almost six years ago, the artist’s fame has no taken a turn for the tragic. Rapper Silento, or as he’s known by his real name Ricky Hawk has been charged with murder following the shooting death of his 34 year old cousin.

In an official statement by DeKalb County Police Department, “On February 1, Ricky Hawk, 23, was arrested for the Murder of his cousin Frederick Rooks, 34. On January 21, DKPD investigated a shooting after Rooks was found in the roadway on Deep Shoals Circle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Rooks died from his injuries. A DKPD investigation later identified Hawk as the suspect. Investigators are still working to uncover the motive for the shooting. Hawk is in the DeKalb County Jail charged with Murder.”

In the past few months, Hawk has had a run in with law enforcement on multiple occasions. He was arrested in October for driving 143 miles per hour in a 65 mph-zone, and again in September after threatening two people with a hatchet. As of now, the investigation into the shooting death is ongoing as Hawk remains in DeKalb County Police custody, though his charge remains with felony murder.