CLARENDON, Jamaica – A 21-year-old construction worker who was held in connection with several shooting incidents and murders that occurred between December 2022 and July 2023 in Clarendon and Manchester have been arrested and charged.

Deandre Grant of Bellfield district, Manchester and Canaan Heights, May Pen, Clarendon has been charged with two counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and wounding with intent, shooting with intent, four counts of unauthorised possession of prohibited weapon, five counts of unauthorised possession of ammunition and six counts of using a firearm to commit a felony.

The Manchester police have reported that Grant’s first shooting resulted in the killing of 21-year-old Soniel Muschette, otherwise called ‘Shine’, a construction worker of Comfort d

istrict, in the parish on Thursday, December 8, 2022.

The police believe that about 4:00 pm Muschette was allegedly shot to death by Grant in Kendall district in the parish.

Additionally, 44-year-old Novlyn Matthews, otherwise called ‘Catherine’, a chef of New Green district, Manchester, was reportedly shot and killed and a man injured, when they were allegedly attacked by Grant in their community on Friday, March 3.

According to the police, Matthews and the man were walking on the roadway, when they were allegedly pounced upon by Grant and three other armed men. They opened gunfire on both parties, hitting them multiple times before escaping in the area. The injured people were transported to hospital, where Matthews was pronounced dead and the injured man treated.

Grant allegedly struck again at a plaza in Mandeville on Monday, March 6 where it was reported that two security guards were attacked by three men, one of whom was armed with a handgun. The attackers then restrained and demanded money from one of the two guards. The demands were not met, a tussle ensued and the attackers fled after the armed man opened gunfire, the police said.

Grant’s alleged last victim was shot and injured on Monday, July 31 at his home in Top Coffee Grove district in the parish. The man reported that he was at home about 12:50 am, when he was reportedly attacked by Grant who was armed with a gun. A fight ensued during which the man was shot several times. He ran and was later assisted to hospital, where he was treated.

Following an operation, Grant was arrested on Wednesday, August 2 in Westmoreland in relation to a separate incident. He was later handed over to the Manchester police where charges were laid against him on Wednesday, October 4.

A court date is being arranged.