$1M bail for security guard in fatal East Coast auto sales shooting

Deandrell Semple, 20, a security guard of Kingelly Village, West Coast Berbice, was granted $1M bail after being charged with manslaughter on Thursday.

The charge is in relation to the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Jared Jagnandan on March 21, 2024 at SMK Shaf Auto Sales located at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

Semple appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court before Her Worship Magistrate Fabayo Azore, where the charge was read to him.

He was not required to enter a plea and was granted bail. The defendant was also ordered to lodge his passport.

The case was adjourned to July 8, 2024 for a report and disclosure.

Jagnandan was a Sales and Marketing Representative who lived at Martyrs’ Ville, ECD. Semple was employed with the auto company.

Following the shooting, Semple was arrested.

According to the Police report, the businessman who manages Shaf Auto Sales told the Police that he and his wife returned to the store around 11:10hrs after transacting business and observed the suspect and the teen seated in a chair, a short distance away from the security officer’s desk.

The businessman further noted that he and his wife proceeded to his office, and a few minutes later, they heard a loud explosion in the store.

He told Police that he immediately exited his office, where he saw a motionless Jared lying on the ground.