Two men have been arrested for the murder of DJ Megatron. The New York radio personality, hip-hop promoter and television host was shot and killed near his home in Staten Island on March 27.
According to NY1, Richard Cromwell, 20, and William Williams, 21, were charged on Wednesday with second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, stolen property and robbery. Megatron was laid to rest on Tuesday, nine days after he was shot once in the chest while walking to a store near his home.
NBC New York reported that detectives believe the murder may have been a result of a robbery gone bad. It is unknown if the suspects were acquaintances of Megatron. A Crimestoppers tip led to the arrest of Williams, who then reportedly confessed to the murder and robbery. A witness allegedly identified Cromwell as one of the men who shot Megatron, and police sources said Cromwell made statements to the Staten Island district attorney confessing to the murder. Both suspects have prior arrest records.
Born Corey McGriff, Megatron, 32, first made his name in Staten Island hip-hop circles as a promoter of local artists, something he continued during his stint as a DJ on famed New York radio station Hot 97, where he had risen from an intern to an on-air sidekick of popular personality Fatman Scoop. He had also worked at stations in Boston and Philadelphia. In recent months, Megatron had started to gain national exposure thanks to his appearances on BET's "106 & Park," where he'd hype up the in-studio audience during commercial breaks and conduct frank — and hilarious — man-on-the-street interviews.
"He will truly be missed," BET said in a statement extending condolences to his family. In recent weeks, he had become engaged to Shyleen Robinson, with whom he had a 10-month-old son.
Megatron had also appeared in movies, including 2005's "State Property 2," starring Roc-a-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash and rappers Beanie Sigel and N.O.R.E.