A 24-year-old Corey Walker got slapped with 29 years behind bars for his part in Pop Smoke’s 2020 killing in LA.
Rolling Stone reports Walker faced the rapper’s family with an apology during sentencing. Earlier this month, he took a plea deal, admitting to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery with gun and gang charges. As the only adult charged, Walker expressed his regret about the February 19, 2020 incident, where he and three others pistol-whipped and shot Pop Smoke three times.
“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 Friday, Feb. 21. “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 gave props to his lawyers, Kellen Davis and Deion Benjamin, who got his murder charge dropped to manslaughter. He was initially looking at life without parole. “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 added.
During his plea deal hearing earlier this month, Walker spilled that he and a 17-year-old buddy scoped out Pop Smoke’s Airbnb before the crime. They came back later with three others, rocking ski masks, packing a 9mm, in a different ride. Walker was 19 then, while his crew was just 15, 16, and 17. He wasn’t the shooter and claims he only found out about the shooting after his buddies got back to the car. The 15-year-old allegedly pulled the trigger.
The three teens reportedly jumped Pop Smoke while he was showering. Walker supposedly told them not to use the gun he’d given them, suggesting they use “a flower vase” instead. Court docs say, “It was only after the robbers exited the house and reentered the vehicle that [Walker] learned of the shooting. In response, [Walker] assaulted the shooter.”
To mark five years since the Canarsie, Brooklyn rapper’s tragic death in LA this week, Complex dug into their archives for all things Pop Smoke. They found interviews with folks who really knew him as an artist, sharing stories about his studio vibes, quirky habits, and memorable moments.
