A melee broke out Monday during the first appearance in Halifax provincial court of aspiring rap artist Carvel Clayton, who is charged with second-degree murder following a weekend shooting.

Shakur Jefferies, 21, was killed Nov. 12, 2016. (Facebook)

The 21-year-old is accused of killing Shakur Jefferies, who was found dead Saturday following the shooting near an apartment building on Washmill Lake Drive in Halifax.

Clayton appeared in court with a severely swollen right eye.

As Clayton was being escorted out of the courtroom Monday, someone in the courtroom rushed toward him.

Several people pushed toward the sheriff's deputies, and one deputy was knocked to the ground but was not seriously hurt. Police officers then entered the fray and calmed the situation.

"We had several officers at the courthouse already for the arraignment of the accused," said Const. Phil Power of the Halifax Regional Police.

"Basically we had a report of a physical disturbance inside, officers responded incredibly quickly, multiple units arrived, and both parties were separated."

Rap artist Carvel Clayton, who is charged with second-degree murder, appeared in court on Monday with a severely swollen right eye. (Facebook/CBC)

Power said Clayton was one of the parties involved, and officers took him from the area for his safety and the safety of people around him. A police investigator is looking at what happened and will determine if any charges are necessary.

Clayton is an aspiring rap artist from Dartmouth who performed under the name Certi. In October, he posted a music video to his YouTube channel titled I Wish, in memory of Tylor McInnis.

McInnis's body was discovered in a North Preston cemetery in August, and three men were charged with first-degree murder in his death.

Clayton also produced an anti-violence song called Pray 4 Scotia, in reference to the series of homicides in Halifax earlier this year.