How Old Was Pop Smoke When He Died
Pop Smoke, the Brooklyn-born rapper who rose to fame in 2019, died on February 19, 2020. He was shot during a home invasion in Los Angeles and later pronounced dead at a hospital. He would have turned 21 years old about one month after his death. The official timeline shows the shooting in the early morning of February 19 and his death that same day after emergency transport.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of death | February 19, 2020 | Law enforcement and coroner reports |
| Age at death | 20 years old | Coroner and official records |
| Location | Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Police and court filings |
| Cause category | Homicide (gunshot wounds) | Coroner’s report |
The Day and Circumstances
In the early hours of February 19, 2020, intruders entered a home in Los Angeles where Pop Smoke was staying. According to police accounts, he was shot and immediately transported by ambulance. Attendees called emergency services, and first responders worked to save him, but he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The Los Angeles Police Department investigated the incident as a targeted home invasion, and a suspect was taken into custody days later.
Age Context and What That Means
Pop Smoke was born on July 20, 1999. Had he lived, he would have turned 21 in August 2020. At 20 years old at the time of his death, he was in the final year of his teenage years, with his music career accelerating. His age placed him among the youngest major stars in hip-hop at the peak of his visibility, which makes the timeline and milestones surrounding his short life particularly notable.
Public Timeline of Events
- July 20, 1999: Born Bashar Barakah Jackson in Brooklyn, New York.
- 2018–2019: Releases early tracks and mixtapes that build a growing following online.
- February 19, 2020 (early morning): Shooting occurs during a home invasion in Los Angeles.
- February 19, 2020: Pronounced dead at a hospital at age 20.
- February 2020: Suspect arrested and later pleaded no contest in a plea agreement.
- 2020–2021: Posthumous releases including the album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon debut at number one on the Billboard 200.
Verified Source Notes
Information in this explainer is drawn from official statements and filings available from law enforcement and the coroner’s office. Age and date details align with publicly released records, including the Los Angeles County coroner and court documents related to the case. No speculative or inferred timings are included; only what has been formally reported is presented here.
Lasting Impact and Legacy
Though his life was cut short, Pop Smoke’s influence on drill and hip-hop continues through posthumous projects and features. His debut posthumous album set streaming records and affirmed his chart impact at a young age. The circumstances of his death also spurred ongoing conversations about home invasion safety and celebrity security. Because the facts are well established and documented, this profile remains accurate and useful as a long-term reference.
Common Questions, Briefly Addressed
- What was his age? He was 20 years old at the time of his death, turning 21 about a month later.
- When exactly did he die? He died on February 19, 2020, the same day as the shooting.
- Where did it happen? The incident occurred at a Los Angeles residence during a home invasion.
- Has anyone been held accountable? A suspect was arrested and entered a guilty plea as part of a plea agreement.
- Are the records public? Yes; coroner and police reports have been released and confirm the age, date, and circumstances.