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

Corey Walker, who killed 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 also involved 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, per Rolling 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.

According to the Los 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.

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Pop Smoke, whose real name is Bashar Barakah Jackson, was shot and killed with a Beretta 9 mm semiautomatic pistol in February 2020 during a home invasion when he was staying in Hollywood Hills. Per the Los 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 per Entertainment Weekly.

Pop Smoke broke out into the music scene in 2019 with his song “Welcome to the Party” from his EP Meet the Woo, which featured Nicki Minaj on the remix.

His album Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon was released posthumously.