Florida-based rapper YNW Melly has reportedly been arrested and charged in the double homicide of two of his close friends. The 19-year-old rising rapper, whose real name is Jamell Demons, along with his friend Cortlen Henry, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

According to the Miramar Police Department, the duo has been charged for the death of Christopher Thomas Jr, 19, and Anthony Williams, 21 that took place in October 2018. The police said that evidence led them to realize Demons was a suspect in the murder of his close friends.

Demons, with the help of his friend Henry, gunned down the two men before staging the killings as a drive-by shooting. The rapper had recently released a hit track 'Mixed Personalities' with Kanye West and, hours before his arrest, he gave an update to fans on his Instagram page about his situation.

"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 wants 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 @ynw.bortlen and we want y'all to remember it's a ynw Family I love you @ynwsakchaser1 and @ynwjuvy #freeus."

The young rapper was arrested in January on two misdemeanor drug charges. His tour was scheduled to kick off on Valentine's Day in Phoenix, Arizona. As for Demons' alleged involvement in the killing of his friends, police said that the two victims were 'already dead' when they arrived at the hospital.

Christopher Thomas, who hails from Gifford, was better known by his stage name YNW Juvy, while Anthony Williams, who belonged to Fort Pierce, went by the name YNW Sakchaser. The duo were an associated act with Demons, as per the Daily Mail. They were all featured in the 2017 song 'Youngins' which had well over 2 million YouTube views.

A few hours after their deaths, YNW Melly shared the news on Instagram and claimed that his friends had been taken away from him out of "jealousy." He added: "They wanna see me break down and stop or in jail or a box but my n****s still need me they parents need me they family need me till we meet again my twins my slimes."