Pop Smoke, whose real name was Bashar Barakah Jackson, died on February 19, 2020, as a result of a home invasion robbery in a rental house in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles. Around 4:30 a.m., five hooded men broke into the house through a second-story balcony. During the intrusion, the intruders held a gun to a woman's head and threatened to kill her. Shortly after, Pop Smoke was shot three times following an altercation with the intruders. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds and rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery but was pronounced dead a few hours later at age 20. The official cause of death was a gunshot wound to the chest

. The Los Angeles Police Department initially suspected the killing was gang- related, as Pop Smoke was associated with the Crips gang. However, investigators later concluded the murder was likely the result of a home robbery gone wrong. The assailants stole Pop Smoke's jewelry, including a diamond-studded Rolex watch, which they sold for $2,000. In 2023, an 18-year- old man, who was 15 at the time of the crime, admitted in juvenile court to fatally shooting Pop Smoke during the home invasion. He also admitted to home- invasion robbery and personally discharging a firearm during the crime. The shooting occurred after Pop Smoke initially complied with the robbers but then tried to fight back, leading to a confrontation where he was pistol-whipped and shot