Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, tragically died on February 19, 2020 , during a home invasion robbery at a rental house in the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles.

The Incident

The 20-year-old Brooklyn drill rapper was shot by masked intruders who targeted his location after he posted his address on Instagram. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center but succumbed to a gunshot wound to the torso, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County coroner. This shocking event cut short a meteoric rise fueled by hits like "Welcome to the Party" and "Dior," collaborations with UK drill producers, and anthems that defined Brooklyn drill's gritty energy.

Legal Aftermath

  • Four suspects were arrested shortly after; key details include a then-15-year-old who admitted to first-degree murder and home-invasion robbery in 2023 (now 18).
  • Another, Corey Walker (24 as of recent reports), pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, robbery, and gang enhancements in 2025, facing 29 years in prison.
  • A 20-year-old accomplice also pleaded guilty earlier; the group had tracked Pop Smoke via social media and real estate apps.

Investigations revealed no personal grudge—just a brazen robbery gone fatal, with Pop Smoke's posts unknowingly inviting danger during his L.A. trip.

Legacy and Trending Context

Even six years later (as of February 2026), Pop Smoke's death sparks forum discussions and YouTube deep dives, with fans debating "what ifs" like his lyrics foreshadowing street risks or rumored setups. His posthumous album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon topped charts, cementing him as a drill pioneer—think heavy bass, urgent flows, and influence on artists like Travis Scott and Lil Baby. Recent plea deals keep the story alive online, blending tributes with true-crime speculation.

"Pop Smoke was on the rise... killed in a Hollywood Hills home invasion."

TL;DR: Pop Smoke died February 19, 2020, from a robbery shooting; killers faced justice through pleas into 2025.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.