Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Jy’Quale Samari Grable (20, Tampa) guilty of conspiracy, robbery, and first-degree premediated murder. Grable faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 16, 2023. Jy’Quale Grable was indicted on February 1, 2022.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on December 22, 2020, Jy’Quale Grable, Elijah Bell and Aquavious Smith drove to the Valrico Station Apartments in Brandon, Florida to conduct a robbery. Grable and Smith went to the victim’s third floor apartment, while Bell stayed in the car. On the back patio of the apartment, Grable shot B.B. in the neck, severing his spinal cord, and killing him instantly. Grable then shot M.M. in the chest, perforating his heart and lung, which also lead to his death. At approximately 9:00 p.m., neighbors heard the gun shots, and observed blood dripping down from the third floor back balcony apartment. Hillsborough County Sheriff deputies immediately responded and secured the scene.
According to evidence presented at trial, Grable later deleted Snap Chat messages and phone calls from his phone, had family members dispose of the murder weapon, and burned his bloody clothing.
Elijah Bell pleaded guilty on April 13, 2022, and Aquavious Smith did so on June 7, 2022. Both are pending sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes and David P. Sullivan.