Florida Rapper Who Mourned Deaths of Two Friends Charged in Their Slayings

A Florida rapper who publicly mourned the October deaths of two close friends is now accused of killing them and covering up the crime.

YNW Melly, whose legal name is Jamell Demons, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, the Miramar Police Department said in a tweet.

Police said Demons, 19, shot Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. in October and staged the scene with the help of Cortlen Henry, 20, to make the shootings appear to be a drive-by.

Henry has also been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

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“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,” he wrote. “Unfortunately a lot of rumors and lies are being said but no worries god is with me and my brother.”

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Williams, 21, and Thomas, 19, were shot early Oct. 26 in Miramar, which is about 30 miles northwest of Miami. Police said Henry drove the pair to the hospital just after 4:30 a.m. ET, where they were pronounced dead. Williams and Thomas were both shot multiple times.

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“Further investigation, supported by forensic evidence, concluded that Demons shot and killed Williams and Thomas Jr., and that Demons and Henry staged the crime scene to resemble a drive-by shooting,” police said.

A day after the slayings, Demons posted a photo of him with Williams and Thomas, writing: “They Took My Brothers From Me Over Jealousy. I know y’all watching over me.”

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