Father Convicted for Telling His 17-Year-Old Son to Rob and Murder Rapper PnB Rock
The rapper was shot and killed while eating lunch with his girlfriend at a Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles restaurant in Los Angeles in September 2022
A California father has been convicted for the 2022 murder of PnB Rock after he instructed his then-17-year-old son to rob and kill the rapper while he was eating lunch with his girlfriend. PnB Rock, born Rakim Allen, was 30.
Following a two-week trial and four hours of deliberation, a jury in Los Angeles County found Freddie Trone, 42, guilty of one count of murder, two counts of robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office and the Associated Press.
Prosecutors argued during the trial that Trone sent his teenage son into Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in South Los Angeles to commit the crime and later served as an accessory after it was finished, according to the AP. Trone's son has not been named publicly due to his age at the time of the murder.
Related: Fat Joe on PnB Rock's 'Traumatizing' Death: 'That Incident Changed My Life'
In surveillance footage, Trone was seen in the parking lot a half hour before Allen was murdered. A man named Tremont Jones was also present and in the video, gave Allen a fist bump. At the time, the "Selfish" rapper was wearing expensive jewelry on his wrist, the AP reports.
Jones is accused of telling Trone about the rapper being there and the luxury items he was wearing. He was convicted of two counts of robbery and one count of conspiracy for his involvement in the Philadelphia native's death. His attorney, David Haas, said he will appeal, per the AP.
While on the witness stand, Trone confessed he was in the parking lot to find customers for his nearby beauty shop. However, he denied any connection to the killing. Instead, he agreed that the murder was "heinous" and described his son as "dangerous," according to the outlet.
Related: PnB Rock’s Girlfriend Says She’s ‘In the Deepest Depression’ Since His Death: ‘I Will Push Thru’
Trone's son is now 19 and has been charged with murder. However, he is still in a juvenile detention center and a judge determined he is not competent to be put on trial, reports the AP. The L.A. District Attorney's Office noted that a minor will undergo "mental competency proceedings" on Aug. 28.
On Sept. 12, 2022, Allen was eating lunch with his girlfriend Stephanie Sibounheuang, with whom he shares a now 4-year-old daughter, when they were approached by an individual who "demanded" Allen give him his jewelry. He later shot Allen several times before stealing some of his belongings.
Trone, his wife, Shauntel Trone, and his son were charged roughly two weeks later, after fleeing to Las Vegas. It's not clear the role Shauntel had in the robbery and murder. She pleaded no contest to accessory after the fact in July and will be sentenced on Jan. 16, 2025.
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Trone and Jones are scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 27.
“Today, justice has been served for Mr. Allen and his family who have endured unimaginable pain losing a loved one to such senseless violence,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said. “We extend our deepest sympathies to them and the entire community. Thank you to my office’s Community Violence Reduction Division for their unwavering commitment to seek justice for Mr. Allen and hold Mr. Trone and Mr. Jones accountable for their actions. Let this serve as a clear message to anyone who threatens the safety and well-being of our community: our office will relentlessly pursue charges and work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.”
PEOPLE reached out to Freddie's attorney, Winston McKesson for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
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