The murders of two Detroit rappers and a friend, all shot to death in an abandoned apartment complex, are gang-related, police said Friday.
The Michigan State Police Department provided the update in an attempt to dispel speculation surrounding his investigation into the murders of Armani Kelly, Montoya Givens and Dante Wicker.
“We know there are a lot of rumors on the media/social media about this investigation,” police said. “While we have to keep some things private, we do know a couple of things: there is no one in custody for this homicide (and) this homicide was not random and had nothing to do with music or a performance.”
The three men disappeared on January 21, the same night the rappers were forced to cancel a performance at Detroit’s Lounge 31 due to equipment problems. Family members reported them missing two days after they were unable to contact any of the men.
Their bullet-riddled bodies were discovered on February 2 in the basement of an abandoned apartment in Highland Park, a city about 10 minutes from Detroit. His remains were hidden under piles of rubble and construction material.
Kelly, 27, of Oscoda, performed under the alias Marley Whoop. Wicker, 31, of Melvindale, used the stage name B12. Givens was also 31 years old. They they all met in jailreported the Detroit Free Press.
Kelly and Givens were on probation at the time of their disappearance, according to the state Department of Corrections.
“This was an incident related to gang violence,” police said. “There are other people who know the details and we need them to come forward. … Together we can bring closure to these families.”
