In the early morning hours of August 17, 2024, the community of Tillman, South Carolina, was shaken by an act of violence that claimed the life of 72-year-old Leroy Frost Sr. Deputies from the Jasper County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of gunfire at a local bar on Dasher Road at approximately 3:15 a.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered a chaotic scene with three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
Among them was Frost, who was rushed to a local hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led authorities to identify two suspects: 20-year-old Ja'Quan Demontre James and 41-year-old Herman Dessasure. Warrants were issued for their arrests on charges of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. In the days that followed, both men turned themselves in to the authorities. James surrendered to the Jasper County authorities on August 20, while Dessasure turned himself in on August 22. It was also noted that Dessasure was wanted by the United States Marshal's Service for a weapons charge and had other outstanding offenses in Georgia.
Both Ja'Quan James and Herman Dessasure were subsequently indicted by a grand jury for the murder of Leroy Frost Sr. The two men are accused of shooting three people at the bar on that fateful August morning. As the legal process moves forward, both James and Dessasure are awaiting a jury trial for the charges brought against them. The case remains a significant event for the Tillman community, as they await justice for the death of the beloved great-grandfather.
