Deputies with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Southwest Washington Regional SWAT team reportedly arrested 22-year-old Josiah Nettles for the murder of Portland rapper Drae Steves.
According to Oregon Live,Nettles was taken into custody on Friday (February 4) in Vancouver, which is just over the Washington state border. Portland police said he’s been charged with second-degree homicide and unlawful possession of a firearm after allegedly killing the 30-year-old artist in December 2021.
Police discovered Drae Steves’ body in Portland’s Goose Hollow neighborhood last December after responding to reports of a shooting around 1 a.m. local time. The state’s medical examiner’s office later confirmed he died from a gunshot wound.
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Music was been an integral part of Drae’s upbringing. His father raps under the name Manic Lok, while his uncle performs as Cool Nutz. His family is still in mourning but hopes to set up a fundraiser to help support the rapper’s six children.
“This was a tough one to take,” Cool Nutz tells HipHopDX. “Very painful, as his Dad and I have worked together for the last two+ decades. I watched him grow into an amazing young man and have a huge influence on the city through his music.
“He created the wave for the new generation of young urban rappers from Portland. He was always ready for the task and able to join me on songs with E-40, Glasses Malone, Mistah Fab, DAME DOLLA and more. Drae had a huge impact on the city.”
