Father of assassin who killed rapper PnB Rock sentenced

Rapper PnB Rock was shot dead in September 2022 [Getty Images]

A father who sent his 17-year-old son to kill rapper PnB Rock has been sentenced to 31 years to life in prison.

PnB, whose real name is Rakim Hasheem Allen, was shot dead by a masked gunman in front of his girlfriend in a Los Angeles restaurant.

Freddie Trone, 42, denied ordering the murder of his teenage son in September 2022, and his defense argued at trial that he was merely an accomplice after the crimes, according to The Associated Press.

However, in August he was found guilty of murder, two counts of second-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.

A second defendant, Tremont Jones, was found guilty of two counts of second-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

In a statement released after Monday’s verdict, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said, “Today, justice was done with the conviction of two men for this tragic and senseless murder.”

“His life was ended by an act of violence that no family should have to endure.”

In court, both sides agreed that Trone’s son went to Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles, shot the rapper and then robbed him of his jewelry.

The now 19-year-old has been charged with murder, but his fitness to stand trial has not yet been determined.

Trone’s lawyer said he intends to appeal his own verdict.

In an Instagram post shortly after PnB’s death, his girlfriend Stephanie Sibounheuang said he saved her life during the attack.

“I shouldn’t be here, but [because] from him. That’s me,” she wrote.

She described the traumatic aftermath of the shooting. She was unable to ride with him in the ambulance and was forced out of the restaurant while police investigated.

“My world is dark now. My heart breaks for the children,” she wrote.

PnB was born in Philadelphia in 1991 and rose to fame in 2016 with the release of his hit song “Selfish.”

He has collaborated with artists such as Ed Sheeran and recorded two studio albums: Catch These Vibes and Trapstar Turnt PopStar.

Just two days before the shooting, he released his last song, Luv Me Again.

Following his death, tributes poured in, including from artists such as Drake, who posted a photo of the two together on his Instagram story, and Nicki Minaj described working with PnB as “a joy.”