A musician known for a viral dance anthem has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to the fatal shooting of his cousin. The sentence was handed down this week in a Georgia courtroom.
The artist, whose legal name is Ricky Lamar Hawk, entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill to charges including voluntary manslaughter. As part of an agreement with prosecutors, a more serious felony murder charge was dismissed. The charges stemmed from a January 2021 incident where the victim was found deceased from multiple gunshot wounds at a residence.
Authorities stated the individual has remained in custody since his initial arrest in February of that year and will receive credit for time already served. The case concluded with a negotiated plea deal after more than four years of legal proceedings.
In the aftermath of the 2021 arrest, a representative for the musician publicly cited ongoing mental health struggles, asking for public support and understanding during that time. Prior to the homicide, the defendant had faced other legal issues, including arrests on separate charges in the months leading up to the fatal event.
The musician rose to international fame as a teenager in 2015 with the release of a massively popular single and accompanying dance craze. The song achieved multi-platinum status and garnered billions of views online, defining a brief but intense period of celebrity.
