Rising Florida rapper YNW Melly has turned himself in to police after a warrant for his arrest was put out for charges related to the October 2018 murder of two members of his own YNW crew.
Police said the 19-year-old rapper, whose real name is Jamell Demons, is accused of shooting and killing two of his fellow YNW crew members: 21-year-old Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams and 19-year-old Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr.
Both Williams and Thomas Jr. were suffering from severe gunshots wounds when they were driven to the Miramar Memorial Hospital by another YNW crew member—20-year-old Cortlen “YNW Bortlen” Henry—around 4:35 a.m. on October 26th. Williams and Thomas Jr. were pronounced dead upon arrival, the Sun Sentinel reported.
“They arrived with multiple gunshot wounds. They were dead already,” Miramar police spokeswoman Tania Rues said at the time.
In a tweet posted the day after the killings, Melly wrote: “They Took My Brothers From Me Over Jealousy… I know y’all watching over me… it’s #ynw4l and after, 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”
They Took My Brothers From Me Over Jealousy ?? I know y’all watching over me ??? it’s #ynw4l and after ????, 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 ? ? pic.twitter.com/wuKuhulqAW
— Melvin & Melly 2 Face ? (@YNWMelly) October 27, 2018
On October 31st, Demons’ lawyer shared the rapper’s reaction to the deaths of Williams and Thomas Jr. “He’s sad, he’s upset, obviously,” attorney Bradford Cohen told the Sun-Sentinel. “Those were his best friends.”
Miramar police said an investigation found that Demons shot Williams and Thomas Jr., and Henry staged the crime scene to look like a drive-by shooting.
Henry (pictured above right) was arrested in Houston last month. He was extradited to Broward County on Tuesday (Feb. 12) and charged with two counts of first-degree murder as well as two counts of accessory after the fact.
The Miramar Police Department confirmed Wednesday night (Feb. 13) that Melly, who was also charged with two counts of first-degree murder, was in custody. They said in a statement:
“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 Demons shot and killed Williams & Thomas Jr. and that Demons and Henry staged the crime scene to resemble a drive-by shooting.
Police didn’t provide a motive or say what prompted the shooting.
(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 pic.twitter.com/ArzVCLRxjd
— Miramar Police (@MiramarPD) February 14, 2019
(2/2) Demons shot and killed Williams & Thomas Jr. and that Demons and Henry staged the crime scene to resemble a drive-by shooting. pic.twitter.com/EukFxD4OEq
— Miramar Police (@MiramarPD) February 14, 2019
YNW Melly has over a million social media followers, and his most famous song, “Murder on My Mind” (above) has more than 87 million views on YouTube.
He recently released the video for his new single with Kanye West, “Mixed Personalities.” He’s signed to Young Thug’s YSL label, according to a post he shared on Instagram last September.
Before turning himself in to authorities, YNW Melly released a statement via Instagram proclaiming his innocence:
“To 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 [YNW Sakchaser] and [YNW Juvy] #freeus.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt12J3ygMWw/