Kanye West's emerging collaborator, YNW Melly, turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday after being accused of killing his two friends and crew members, YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy.
According to Variety, the rapper, legally known as Jamell Demons, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The police believe that the incident occurred in Fort Lauderdale on October 26, 2018, at 4:35 a.m. It was initially believed that the victims, as well as Demons and his friend and alleged accomplice, Cortlen Henry, were all targets of a drive-by shooting, which is reportedly how the two assailants wanted it to appear.
Henry, who goes by the stage name of YNW Bortlen, was at the scene of the crime with Demons when the reported drive-by shooting occurred. Twenty-one-year-old Anthony Williams, known as YNW Sakchaser and 19-year-old Christopher Thomas Jr., who went by YNW Juvy, were both killed.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Demons and Henry are accused of staging the crime scene with a Jeep Compass to cover up the double murder. Henry, 20, also reportedly drove their friends Williams and Thomas to the Memorial Hospital Miramar emergency room in the jeep. The two victims were later pronounced dead due to multiple gunshot wounds.
Following the incident, the police reportedly documented a statement from Henry that contradicted the evidence collected during the preliminary investigation, making the Miramar Police Department suspicious of foul play. Henry has also been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
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In January, Henry was arrested in Houston and was transported to Broward County on Tuesday.
The Miramar police released a public statement via Twitter on Wednesday, detailing the charges against both Demons and Henry. They revealed their belief that Demons was the one behind the wheel of the Jeep Compass that took the lives of the two young men.
(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
"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," the statement reads.
On Wednesday, Demons took to Instagram to inform his fans that he would be turning himself in to authorities, denying all allegations against himself and Henry.
"[A] couple months ago I lost my two brothers by violence and now the system want to find justice [sic]," the post says. "[U]nfortunately 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," Henry wrote alongside a photo of himself, Henry, and the two deceased victims.
Back in October, Bradford Cohen — Demons’ attorney — reported that the rapper was “sad” and “upset, obviously” following the deaths of Williams and Thomas.
“Those were his best friends," Cohen said.
Demons is an emerging rapper who has been gaining popularity for his song “Murder on My Mind." He recently collaborated with Kanye West on the song “Mixed Personalities."
Williams and Thomas Jr. were also aspiring rappers.
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