What happened to Bashar Jackson? Remembering rapper as Canarsie celebrated ‘Pop Smoke Day’ in his honor

Bashar Jackson, or Pop Smoke was shot and killed during a home invasion in Los Angeles on February 19, 2020. Bashar was 20 years at the time. Canarsie, a residential neighborhood in New York, celebrated Pop Smoke Day on July 20, on what would have been the rapper's 26th birthday.

Audrey Jackson, the mother of the later rapper, while talking to News 12, said:

"We do this in celebration of who he is. For his fan base in the community to get an opportunity to kind of come and be with family."

Shoot For The Stars Foundation hosted the annual Pop Smoke Day celebration. A DJ at the event while speaking to the news outlet said:

"Pop Smoke gave us a lane to let us know that we're important. And you are somebody, and I really appreciate that."

Bashar Jackson was born in Canarsie, New York on 20 July, 1999. Jackson gained recognition with his 2019 singles, Welcome to the Party, and Dior.

How was Bashar Jackson killed?

Bashar Jackson was staying at a rented Airbnb house, which was owned by The Real Housewives star Teddi Mellencamp and husband, Edwin Arroyave in Hollywood Hills, California. On February 19, 2020, five hooded men and one wearing a ski mask broke into the house from the second-story balcony with a handgun.

Jackson was shot three times after an altercation. LAPD received news of the home invasion from the East Coast, and the police arrived at the property six minutes later. Bashar was taken to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where doctors performed thoracotomy on the left side of his chest, before pronouncing him dead.

The LAPD believed that the attack was gang related, as Jackson was associated with street gang, The Crips. However, it was later revealed that his death was a result of a home robbery gone wrong. The intruders stole Jackson's gold watch, and other jewellery before running away from the house.

In May, 2021, the youngest member of the robbery group, a 15-year old, admitted to killing Jackson over a diamond studded Rolex in a recorded interview with a cellmate. His location was given off, after Jackson and friend Michael Durodola posted several images of Mellencamp's Airbnb address on social media.

Bashar Jackson was buried at the Green-Wood Cemetary in Canarsie, Brooklyn. On February, 2025, Corey Walker, the only adult who was being tried for the murder, pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of home invasion. Corey received a 29-year prison sentence.

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