Family identifies Jasper County great-grandfather after shooting; 2 suspects still sought

JASPER COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – Family members have identified the 71-year-old man shot and killed in Jasper County over the weekend, saying he was a hard-working man whose life should not have been taken so senselessly.

“They do this to anyone. They do this to a 71-year-old man who is safe,” said Leroy Frost Jr., the son of the shooting victim.

Jasper County Police are currently searching for two men in connection with the murder of 71-year-old Leroy Frost Sr.

This happened around 3:15 a.m. Saturday morning. Officers found three people shot in a bar on Dasher Road.

There they found 71-year-old Leroy Frost Sr., who had been shot and later died in the hospital.

“He's a funny, loving guy, always has a joke ready and always has the right thing to say. Um, I'm just at a loss for words. I didn't really sleep,” said Leroy's son.

The family said Leroy Sr. worked at a bomb factory in Aiken for 20 years and retired. Leroy Jr. said he always admired his father, and so did everyone who knew him.

“His grandchildren know him, but his great-grandchildren will never see him. He has a great-grandchild, you know what I mean? So he has a great-grandchild,” Frost Jr. said. “My father was with family and friends on his mother's land. My father is 71 years old. He doesn't deserve this.”

Jasper County investigators said they have been working nonstop on the case.

According to investigators, 20-year-old Ja'Quan Demontre James of Tillman and 41-year-old Herman Dessasure are responsible for the shooting.

Arrest warrants are out for murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, with additional charges pending.

“All I want now is justice. I want them caught and held. Don't give them bail because they are the type of people that kill witnesses,” Frost Jr. said.

Ja'Quan James is described as 5'2″ tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair. James' last known address is 705 Cal Causeway, Tillman, SC 29943.

Herman Dessasure is described as 6'1″ tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair. Dessasure's last known addresses are 389 Scott Way, Garnett, SC 29922, and 230 Lanier Drive Apartment 57, Statesboro, Ga, 30458.

You may remember Dessasure, as we reported, being charged with eight counts of residential burglary following several burglaries in Effingham County in 2010.

In Chatham County alone, he was arrested five more times on various charges, including assault, theft and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

“Someone came and took his life. So there's no stopping him. We can't let up,” Frost Jr. said. “He's loved by everyone. He's the old uncle that all the younger cousins ​​go to when they have kids and take the kids to Uncle Roy. He's the best with kids.”

Both James and Dessasure are considered armed and dangerous. Police advise not to approach them if you see them, but instead call 911 or the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.

“I'm a gun advocate. I believe every American should have the right to own a gun, but a convicted felon should not. And that's one of the reasons we're having this conversation now, because if he or she hadn't had a firearm, this wouldn't have happened,” Frost Jr. said.

If you have any information on her whereabouts, you may remain anonymous. Please call local law enforcement or the Jasper County Sheriff's Office at (843)726-7779 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or the Jasper County Operations Center at (843)726-7519. Please reference JCSO Case No. 24S19736.

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