23-year-old charged with murder after Jasper County man found dead, police say
After responding to a report of a man found dead in Ridgeland Wednesday night, deputies with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene of another shooting, where they charged a 23-year-old with the man’s murder, authorities said.
Police charged Javone Wright, 23, of Ridgeland with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime after he confessed, Sheriff’s Det. Sgt. Jake Higgins said.
Deputies first responded to a call at 9:21 p.m. Wednesday about a dead man who was found shot in the side of his chest near a wooded area on Henry Lawton Road. The man was identified Thursday by the county coroner as Deandra Jenkins, 27.
While they were investigating, officers received a call at 10:24 p.m. about another shooting a few miles away on Bees Creek Road. The location was the house where Wright — who officers said was a person of interest in the first shooting — lived.
At the house, someone was attempting retaliation for Jenkins’ death but instead shot Wright’s sister in the leg, Higgins said.
After deputies arrived, Wright’s sister was transported to Coastal Carolina Hospital, and Wright was detained. The sheriff’s office is still looking for the suspect who shot Wright’s sister.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 3:25 PM.
