In Charleston County, South Carolina, two men, Javar Mitchell and Jaquan Washington, were convicted of murder and conspiracy following a tragic shooting that occurred in July 2021. The trial, which lasted four days, resulted in a guilty verdict from the jury, as confirmed by the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The case involved a premeditated, yet random, drive-by shooting that left one man dead.
The Incident: A Random and Tragic Shooting
On July 19, 2021, Mitchell, Washington, and two other individuals used a stolen truck to carry out a drive-by shooting on Corral Drive. The four men were driving around West Ashley, looking for someone to kill. They fired nearly two dozen shots at a man they mistakenly thought was part of a rival gang.
However, the shooters soon realized that the man they targeted, Dontae Greene, was not involved with any gang and had no prior contact with them. Despite this, Mitchell and Washington were determined to kill someone that night. They fired around a dozen shots at Greene while he was playing dice with friends.
Greene tried to escape the gunfire but was tragically struck in the head and died from his injuries.
Investigation and Evidence Leading to Arrest
After the shooting, the four men fled the scene and went to a nearby apartment complex, where they dispersed. Although the group was careful to avoid leaving behind any physical evidence, forensic investigators with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office were able to find a single fingerprint on the stolen truck. This crucial piece of evidence helped them identify the suspects.
Further investigation revealed that the gun used in the shooting was recovered through the arrest of an unrelated person. This person explained that they had purchased the weapon from someone connected to one of the defendants.
During the search of Mitchell’s home, authorities discovered a pair of gloves that had been used during the crime. Eyewitnesses also confirmed that Mitchell and Washington were the individuals who fired the shots from the truck, leading to Greene’s death.
Remaining Legal Proceedings
While Mitchell and Washington have been convicted, the two other individuals connected to the shooting will be tried at a later date.
In conclusion, the tragic death of Dontae Greene serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of violence and the lengths to which individuals will go to harm others. The investigation, while complex, eventually brought justice for the victim. The conviction of Mitchell and Washington ensures that they will spend several years in jail, facing the consequences of their actions.
