More details are emerging in YNW Melly’s double murder case.
Earlier this month, the “Murder on My Mind” rapper was charged with two counts of first-degree murder stemming from the October 2018 shooting of his friends, Anthony Williams (YNW Sakchaser) and Christopher Thomas Jr. (YNW Juvy), near Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Now, TMZ reports that Melly tried to hatch an elaborate scheme by tricking cops into thinking the men were killed by someone other than him and his friend, Cortlen Henry.
According to Melly’s booking report, Henry drove to a hospital in the early hours of Oct. 26, seeking help for his two friends in his car, whom he claimed had been shot in a drive-by.
Cops say that the two victims were pronounced dead at the hospital after being shot in the head, torso, and back. Police describe a gruesome scene with blood splattered throughout the car.
Henry told police that he and his friends were driving on the freeway after wrapping a late-night studio session when a car pulled up on the driver’s side and opened fire. There were eight bullet holes along the right side of the vehicle where Williams and Thomas were seated. Henry escaped injury.
During the investigation, cops found forensic evidence that may show that they were trying to cover up a murder. Shell casing was discovered inside the vehicle, along with eight matching shell casings in a different location, where cops think Melly and Henry shot up the car to make it look like a drive-by.
Cops say the initial shot was fired from inside the vehicle, not outside as Henry claimed, and originated from the left rear passenger side of the car, which is where they say Melly had been sitting.
Surveillance footage from the recording studio shows YNW and Henry getting in the car with the victims, with YNW seated in the back left seat.
Cops say after Williams and Thomas were shot, Melly and Henry drove around with the dead bodies “for a period of time” before driving to the hospital. Henry later told police YNW was in the same car with them, but left at some point and got in another car.
Prior to turning himself in, Melly addressed the murder charges on Instagram. “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,” he wrote. “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.”