YNW Melly, a rising rapper who last month released a collaboration with Kanye West, was arrested Wednesday in Florida for the murder of two friends.
The 19-year-old, whose real name is Jamell Demons, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting last October of aspiring rappers Anthony Williams (YNW Sakchaser), 21, and Christopher Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy), 19. No motive has been revealed.
Demons and Cortlen Henry, 20, are accused of staging the murder scene to make it look like the pair were victims of a drive-by shooting. Henry was arrested in Houston last month.
“A couple of months ago, I lost my two brothers by violence and now the system wants to find justice,” Demons wrote on Instagram before his arrest. “Unfortunately, a lot of rumors and lies are being said. But no worries, God is with me.”
Demons served time in 2017 on weapons charges and was arrested in June 2018 and again this January for possession of marijuana. He has released two mixtapes and had some success with the single “Murder on My Mind” and the Kanye West collaboration “Mixed Personalities.”
View this post on InstagramTo all my fans and supporters no I did not get locked up in Washington , but I am turning myself in today 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 @ynwjuvy #freeus
