MIRAMAR, Fla. (CelebrityAccess) Florida rap star YNW Melly has been arrested for allegedly shooting two of his close friends then, with the help of another man, trying to make it look like they were the victims of a drive-by shooting, according to Miramar, Fla., police.
YNW Melly, real name Jamell Demons, was arrested yesterday and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to an October shooting of two aspiring rappers who were described as close friends of Demons, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Demons, a 19-year-old rapper, is from Gifford, Fla., but moved to Broward County as his rap career began to take off.
He is the second person arrested in association with the shooting; Cortlen Henry, 20, has also been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, according to the paper. During a brief court appearance this morning, Broward Judge Jackie Powell ordered that Demons should remain in jail without bond.
The victims, Anthony Williams, 21, and Christopher Thomas Jr., 19, were shot dead in the early hours of Oct. 26 and driven in a Jeep Compass around 4 a.m. to an emergency room, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Both had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the hospital. Henry was the driver of the Jeep, according to police. The press release did not say what motivated the shooting but that the Jeep was used to stage the crime scene to make it look like a drive-by shooting.
Williams was known as YNW Sakchaser and Thomas was known as YNW Juvy, and both were considered to be lifelong friends of Demons. They were trying to build their own rap careers and were featured on “Melly,” a documentary video posted to YNW Melly’s YouTube page.
Demons turned himself in, posting on Instagram:
“I want you guys to know I love you and appreciate every single one of y’all, a couple months ago I lost my two brothers by violence and now the system want to find justice.. unfortunately a lot of rumors and lies are being said but no worries god is with me and my brother @ynw.bortlen and we want y’all to remember it’s a ynw Family I love you @ynwsakchaser1 and 2ynwjuvy #freeus.”
Henry was arrested last month in Houston. Demons was arrested in January on marijuana charges.
