In the summer of 2021, a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, ended in tragedy for 21-year-old Kanon Cook Melvin, a male resident of Fayetteville, North Carolina. On the evening of June 10th, on Willoughby Lane, a confrontation during a planned drug transaction violently spiraled, resulting in the shooting deaths of both Melvin and his 19-year-old companion, Ja'Leel Stephens.
When law enforcement arrived at the scene near the intersection of 44th Avenue and Robert Grissom Parkway, they found both young men had already succumbed to their injuries.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department's investigation, aided by witness statements and video surveillance, quickly led them to three suspects. Within days, authorities arrested 21-year-old Brandon Hembree, his 20-year-old brother Daniel Hembree, and 20-year-old Brady Gilcrease. All three men were initially charged with two counts of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Investigators determined that the three suspects had arranged to meet Melvin and Stephens to sell them illegal narcotics. It was during this transaction that a fight broke out, escalating to the point where several gunshots were fired before the suspects fled the scene.
The legal proceedings that followed took a significant turn. Brandon Hembree, the accused shooter, sought immunity from prosecution under a 'stand your ground' defense. In May 2023, a judge granted a motion to dismiss the murder charges against him, ruling that he had acted in self-defense. Court documents revealed that during the drug deal, the vehicle carrying Melvin and Stephens had blocked the Hembrees' car. It was detailed that Melvin entered the suspects' vehicle, pointed a gun at Brady Gilcrease's head, and demanded their belongings. Simultaneously, Stephens allegedly opened the driver's side door and began assaulting Gilcrease. It was at this point that Brandon Hembree fired his weapon, killing both Melvin and Stephens. While Brandon Hembree was cleared, the cases against Daniel Hembree and Brady Gilcrease were reported to be still pending and under review by the 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office.
