Screen shot 2019 02 06 at 5 34 50 pm
Source: Photo by Laura Alston for Okayplayer
YNW Melly Arrested and Charged With Two Counts of First-Degree Murder
The 19-year-old rising South Florida rapper has been accused of killing two men believed to be his friends.
YNW Melly has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, Florida authorities confirmed.
According to a report from Miramar PD, the arrest stems from an October 2018 incident where Anthony "YNW Juvy" Williams and Christopher "YNW Sackchaser" Thomas Jr., were shot and killed. Melly, born Jamell Demons, was arrested alongside Cortlen Henry.
Sun Sentinelreports, Melly shot his two close friends, then he and Henry planned to make it look like they had been the victims of a drive-by shooting.
The rising South Florida rapper garnered attention and acclaim in 2018 with the release of his hit songs “Murder on My Mind,” “Virtual (Blue Balenciagas),” and "Slang That Iron."
On Wednesday evening, hours before the arrest, he posted a photo to Instagram with a caption suggesting he was falsely accused and stating that he'd be turning himself into the police. "I am turning myself in today I want you guys to know I love you and appreciate every single one of y’all," he wrote, adding, "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."
READ: California Rapper Shot Dead By Six Police Officers At Taco Bell Drive-Thru
\u201c(1/2) Jamell Demons, a.k.a. YNW Melly & Cortlen Henry have been arrested and charged with two counts of first degree murder. The victims, Anthony Williams & Christopher Thomas Jr., were killed on 10/26/2018. The investigation, supported by forensic evidence, has concluded that\u201d— Miramar Police (@Miramar Police) 1550103690
\u201c(2/2) Demons shot and killed Williams & Thomas Jr. and that Demons and Henry staged the crime scene to resemble a drive-by shooting.\u201d— Miramar Police (@Miramar Police) 1550103719
In 2018, Melly commented on the victims' deaths, tweeting, "They took my brothers from me over jealousy. I know y’all watching over me and after they wanna see me break down and stop or in jail or a box..."
\u201cThey Took My Brothers From Me Over Jealousy \ud83d\udc94\ud83d\udc94 I know y\u2019all watching over me \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\ud83c\udf0d it\u2019s #ynw4l and after \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe\u2764\ufe0f, they wanna see me break down and stop or in jail or a box but my niggas still need me they parents need me they family need me till we meet again my slimes \ud83d\udc0d \ud83d\udc94\u201d— Melvin & Melly 2 Face \ud83c\udf17 (@Melvin & Melly 2 Face \ud83c\udf17) 1540654696
In January 2019, Melly was arrested in South Florida on two misdemeanor drug charges on one count of possession of marijuana not more than 20 grams and possession and/or use of drug paraphernalia.
Source: Local10 News
