Pop Smoke's Killer Apologizes to Rapper's Family as He's Sentenced to 29 Years in Prison

Mar. 15, 2025

Pop Smoke; Corey Walker.Photo:Pascal Le Segretain/Getty; Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty; Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department

Corey Walker, whokilled rapper Pop Smoke in 2020, has been sentenced to 29 years in prison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE.Walker, 24, received his sentence on Friday, Feb. 21 in a Los Angeles County court and apologized to the late rapper’s family for his role in the murder, which alsoinvolved four others.“Even though the Jackson family isn’t here in court today, I would like to sincerely apologize for my unforgivable actions, although there’s no apology that amounts to the taking of someone’s life," Walker said, perRolling Stone.“I would also like to take this opportunity to apologize to my family for the pain and embarrassment that they have endured over the last five years, as well as an apology to my community.“Walker also thanked his defense team for working hard to make sure he would “avoid a much more harsh punishment,” as he was facing a life sentence without parole before pleading guilty.PEOPLE has contacted the Los Angeles county court and Walker’s attorney and did not receive an immediate response.Pop Smoke in Los Angeles in December 2019.Scott Dudelson/GettyAccording to theLos Angeles Times, Walker had pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of robbery, with firearm and gang enhancements in early February. Prosecutors dropped a murder charge for Walker in exchange for the plea.“Today I take responsibility for my dreadful partake in these crimes, and as I begin my road to rehabilitation, I assure you that I will steer clear from negative behavior,” Walker also told the court.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Pop Smoke, whose real name is Bashar Barakah Jackson,was shot and killedwith a Beretta 9 mm semiautomatic pistol in February 2020 during a home invasion when he was staying in Hollywood Hills. Per theLos Angeles Times,the rapper shared his address on his Instagram Stories and the valuables he had with him, making him easy to locate.The rapper was ambushed while taking a shower and the robbers sought cash along with expensive jewelry. They also reportedly stole Pop Smoke’s Rolex watch and sold it for $2,000.He later died at a hospital. Pop Smoke was 20 years old.Three of the men involved with Pop Smoke’s murder were only 15, 16 and 17 when the murder happened and were convicted in juvenile court at the time, each reaching separate deals, as perEntertainment Weekly.Pop Smoke in Paris in January 2020.Claudio Lavenia/GettyPop Smoke broke out into the music scene in 2019 with his song “Welcome to the Party” from his EPMeet the Woo, which featuredNicki Minajon the remix.His albumShoot for the Stars Aim for the Moonwas released posthumously.

Corey Walker, whokilled rapper Pop Smoke in 2020, has been sentenced to 29 years in prison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed to PEOPLE.

Walker, 24, received his sentence on Friday, Feb. 21 in a Los Angeles County court and apologized to the late rapper’s family for his role in the murder, which alsoinvolved four others.

“Even though the Jackson family isn’t here in court today, I would like to sincerely apologize for my unforgivable actions, although there’s no apology that amounts to the taking of someone’s life,” Walker said, perRolling Stone.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to apologize to my family for the pain and embarrassment that they have endured over the last five years, as well as an apology to my community.”

Walker also thanked his defense team for working hard to make sure he would “avoid a much more harsh punishment,” as he was facing a life sentence without parole before pleading guilty.

PEOPLE has contacted the Los Angeles county court and Walker’s attorney and did not receive an immediate response.

Pop Smoke in Los Angeles in December 2019.Scott Dudelson/Getty

Scott Dudelson/Getty

According to theLos Angeles Times, Walker had pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of robbery, with firearm and gang enhancements in early February. Prosecutors dropped a murder charge for Walker in exchange for the plea.

“Today I take responsibility for my dreadful partake in these crimes, and as I begin my road to rehabilitation, I assure you that I will steer clear from negative behavior,” Walker also told the court.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Pop Smoke, whose real name is Bashar Barakah Jackson,was shot and killedwith a Beretta 9 mm semiautomatic pistol in February 2020 during a home invasion when he was staying in Hollywood Hills. Per theLos Angeles Times,the rapper shared his address on his Instagram Stories and the valuables he had with him, making him easy to locate.

The rapper was ambushed while taking a shower and the robbers sought cash along with expensive jewelry. They also reportedly stole Pop Smoke’s Rolex watch and sold it for $2,000.

He later died at a hospital. Pop Smoke was 20 years old.

Three of the men involved with Pop Smoke’s murder were only 15, 16 and 17 when the murder happened and were convicted in juvenile court at the time, each reaching separate deals, as perEntertainment Weekly.

Pop Smoke in Paris in January 2020.Claudio Lavenia/Getty

Claudio Lavenia/Getty

Pop Smoke broke out into the music scene in 2019 with his song “Welcome to the Party” from his EPMeet the Woo, which featuredNicki Minajon the remix.

His albumShoot for the Stars Aim for the Moonwas released posthumously.

source: people.com