DeKalb County, GA – Silento — born Ricky Hawk — was arrested in February for allegedly murdering his cousin, Frederick Rooks. A Georgia grand jury has now indicted the “Watch Me” rapper in the case on four felonies in total, according to TMZ.
Legal docs reportedly claim that Silento was charged a count of malice murder and another count for felony murder. He was also slapped with charges for aggravated assault and gun possession during the commission of a felony.
Rooks was shot and killed in Georgia on January 21 and DeKalb County police connected Silento to the murder. He was then arrested on February 1 and remains behind bars without bond.
“Today, Ricky Hawk, 23, was arrested for the murder of his cousin Frederick Rooks, 34. On January 21, the DeKalb County Police Department investigated Rooks’ death after he was found shot on Deep Shoals Circle. Hawk is in the DeKalb County Jail charged with Murder. #WeAreDKPD,” the DeKalb County Police Department said.
Today, Ricky Hawk, 23, was arrested for the murder of his cousin Frederick Rooks, 34. On January 21, the DeKalb County Police Department investigated Rooks' death after he was found shot on Deep Shoals Circle. Hawk is in the DeKalb County Jail charged with Murder. #WeAreDKPD pic.twitter.com/AfaA8CtXgx
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) February 1, 2021
Following the murder charges, Silento’s PR manager Chanel Hudson claimed her client is suffering from “a series” of mental health illnesses.
“Please send my client Silento some positive vibrations,” she wrote. “Over the past several years, Ricky has been suffering immensely from a series of mental illnesses. We will continue in his efforts of treatment, but we ask in the meantime the public uplift him and his family in immediate prayer & positive energy!! Ricky is a beautiful soul, and we hope that the same people who came up whippin’ and nay naying with him, continue to support him and lifted in prayer. God bless.”
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In 2020, Silento was arrested twice in two days. He allegedly wielded a hatchet during a domestic violence altercation with his girlfriend inside a California residence.