Up and coming rap artist YNW Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Anthony Williams, 21, and Christopher Thomas Jr., 19. According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, both men were shot and killed on October 26, 2018, and they are described as aspiring rappers who were close friends with the 19-year-old Demons. Police believe Demons shot and killed the two men, and then allegedly worked with another man, Cortlen Henry, to make the crime scene look like a drive-by shooting. Henry is now also in police custody.
Demons addressed the situation in an Instagram post, in which he says he voluntarily turned himself in to police, and disputes the allegations against him: “[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 #freeusâ€