Skip to main content
Clear icon
68Āŗ

South Florida rapper YNW Melly accused of killing 2 close friends

Police say rapper, another man staged scene to look like drive-by shooting

MIRAMAR, Fla. ā€“ An up-and-coming South Florida rapper was arrested Wednesday after MiramarĀ police said he killed two of his close friends, who were alsoĀ aspiring rappers.Ā 

Police said 19-year-old JamellĀ Demons, whose stage name is YNW Melly, shot and killed Anthony "YNW Sackchaser" Williams, 21, and Christopher "YNW Juvy" Thomas Jr., 19.Ā 

Police also said Demons, of Vero Beach,Ā and another man,Ā Cortlen Henry, staged the scene to make it appear that the attackĀ was a drive-by shooting.

Demons' biggest hit on YouTube isĀ the song "Murder on My Mind."

Police have not disclosed where the men were killed, but they were last seen in Fort Lauderdale.

Henry drove Williams and Thomas to Memorial Hospital MiramarĀ around 4 a.m. on Oct. 26, 2018. Henry told police they had been involved in a drive-by shooting. Williams and ThomasĀ later died at the hospital.

Demons posted about the charges on Instagram Wednesday before he surrendered to police.

"I am turning myself in today. I want you guys to know I love you and appreciate every single one of y'all.Ā AĀ couple of months ago, I lost my two brothers by violence and now the system wantsĀ to find justice. Unfortunately, a lot of rumors and lies are being said. But no worries, God is with me," Demons said.

Jamell Demons (left) and Cortlen Henry and face charges of first-degree murder.
Anthony Williams (left) and Christopher Thomas Jr. were shot multiple times in October.

Demons and the victims were longtime friends andĀ after their deaths, Demons posted on social media mourning them.

"They took my brothers from me over jealousy. I know yā€™all watching over me and afterĀ they wanna see me break down and stop or in jail or a box..." Demons wrote on Twitter after the shooting.

Demons' attorney, Bradford Cohen, also spoke toĀ the South Florida Sun Sentinel about the killings.

"He's sad, he's upset, obviously," Cohen told the newspaper in October. "Those were his best friends."

Demons appeared in court Thursday, where he was ordered held without bond and to have no communication with Henry.Ā 

Ā 

Ā 


Loading...

Recommended Videos