Suspect in shooting of Florida deputy arrested in North Carolina
Florida deputy's shooting suspect detained 400 miles away in North Carolina
A suspect in the fatal shooting of an off-duty Florida sheriff’s deputy was apprehended in North Carolina on Sunday, authorities confirmed. Demaurea Grant, 29, was detained without resistance at around 7:30 a.m. by the U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Force in Gastonia, North Carolina, approximately 400 miles from where he allegedly shot Deputy Brad McNew, a Jacksonville County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer.
Jacksonville County Sheriff T.K. Waters expressed gratitude for the swift arrest during a Sunday afternoon press conference, lamenting the loss of Deputy McNew, a 24-year veteran of the sheriff’s department. McNew had just finished his shift when he encountered Grant at a Jacksonville truck stop and attempted to assist a woman Grant was allegedly battering near the gas pumps.
Sheriff Waters emphasised the significance of the arrest, highlighting the accountability for the senseless killing in North Carolina of a man trying to help another person.
ARREST FOR MURDER OF CORRECTIONS OFFICER BRAD MCNEW
At 7:30AM this morning, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested Demaurea Grant, 29, in Gastonia, North Carolina for the brutal murder of JSO Corrections Officer Brad McNew. McNew tried to help a woman who was with grant… pic.twitter.com/9mZLotUfYD
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) October 13, 2024
Authorities revealed that Grant was apprehended about 30 hours after witnesses reported seeing the suspect lean out of a black 2000 Ford Mustang’s passenger-side window and shoot McNew. The Mustang, driven by the woman McNew tried to help, had North Carolina license plates, prompting a nationwide alert.
Grant faces charges of murder, firearm possession by a convicted felon, aggravated assault with a firearm, and discharging a firearm in public. Sheriff Waters noted Grant’s violent criminal history.
Additionally, a woman, believed to be the same individual Grant was seen abusing, was arrested with him on unrelated charges in North Carolina. Waters did not disclose further details about those charges or the woman’s identity.
The incident occurred around 1:20 a.m. on Saturday at a Love’s Truck Stop in north Jacksonville. Deputy Chief Alan Parker stated McNew, not in uniform, had stopped at the truck stop where Grant and his female companion were arguing loudly near the gas pumps.
Witnesses and security footage indicated that Grant exited the Mustang, placed a firearm on the hood, and pulled the woman out of the driver’s seat, pushing her against the car and seemingly putting his hand around her neck. When McNew approached and inquired if the woman was alright, Grant reportedly told him to stay out of it, citing “family business.”
The situation escalated as the woman tried to get Grant back into the Mustang in North Carolina. Grant picked up the gun, pointed it at McNew but did not fire. Eventually, both got back into the Mustang, with the woman driving. Witnesses reported that Grant fired multiple shots from the passenger window, striking McNew. McNew was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Sheriff Waters praised McNew, calling him the epitome of a law enforcement professional who acted righteously by intervening despite being off-duty and in plainclothes. Waters condemned Grant’s actions but expressed relief that Grant would face justice.
What Other Media Are Saying
- U.S. Marshals Service news highlights ongoing fugitive arrests, asset forfeitures, and judicial security measures, emphasizing community safety and interagency collaboration to combat violent crime and threats to the judiciary.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was the suspect in the shooting of the Florida sheriff’s deputy?
Demaurea Grant, 29.
Where was the suspect apprehended?
Gastonia, North Carolina.
What charges does Demaurea Grant face?
Murder, firearm possession by a convicted felon, aggravated assault, and discharging a firearm in public.
Who was the victim in the shooting?
Deputy Brad McNew, a 24-year veteran of the Jacksonville County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina.
What was Deputy McNew doing when he encountered the suspect?
He was trying to assist a woman Grant was allegedly battering at a truck stop.
