A man convicted of orchestrating a robbery that led to the tragic death of rapper PnB Rock has been sentenced to 31 years to life in prison. The sentencing was handed down by Judge Connie Quinones in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The defendant, aged 42, was found guilty of murder, robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery by a jury in August.
The incident took place at Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles in South Los Angeles in September 2022. The court heard that the man sent his 17-year-old son to rob and kill the Philadelphia hip-hop star, known as Rakim Allen. The teenager shot PnB Rock during the robbery, stealing his jewelry while he was dining with the mother of his young daughter.
The prosecution argued that the son was following his father's orders, while the defense claimed that the defendant was only an accessory after the fact. The tragic event prompted District Attorney George Gascón to express his condolences to PnB Rock's family, friends, and fans, emphasizing the senseless nature of the violence.
PnB Rock's mother, Deannea Allen, traveled from Philadelphia to deliver a statement in court, expressing her disbelief at the father's actions that put his own child in harm's way. She described PnB Rock as a shining light in their family and lamented the ripple effect of the tragedy that has impacted many lives.
The defendant's son, now 19, was also charged with murder but is currently under the custody of the juvenile system after being deemed incompetent to stand trial. The defense attorney plans to appeal the verdict and seek a new trial, citing a lack of evidence linking the defendant to a conspiracy to commit murder.
PnB Rock, known for hits like “Selfish” and collaborations with artists such as YFN Lucci and Ed Sheeran, was a rising star in the music industry. His untimely death at the age of 30 has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and fans.