In the early morning hours of March 19, 2022, on Granby Street in Norfolk, Virginia, a dispute that may have begun over a spilled drink escalated into gunfire. The incident, which occurred just before 2:00 a.m. as bars were closing, resulted in a scene of chaos and violence that left multiple people injured. Among those caught in the crossfire was 24-year-old Marquel S. Andrews of Portsmouth, a male who sustained a life-threatening gunshot wound.
Emergency services transported Andrews to a local hospital for treatment. He fought for his life for several weeks, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries on April 12, 2022. Two other individuals, 25-year-old Devon M. Harris of Portsmouth and 25-year-old Sierra M. Jenkins of Norfolk, a reporter for The Virginian-Pilot, also lost their lives as a result of the shooting. Two other men were injured but were expected to recover.
An extensive investigation involving countless hours of interviews and forensic analysis led the Norfolk Police Department to identify a suspect. On May 17, 2022, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Norfolk police arrested 24-year-old Antoine M. Legrande Jr. in connection with the triple homicide. Legrande was found in possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest and was subsequently charged with three counts of second-degree murder, five counts of use of a firearm, and two counts of malicious wounding. He was held without bond at the Norfolk City Jail.
The legal proceedings took an unexpected turn on November 1, 2022, when a judge dismissed the charges against Legrande. The decision came after two key witnesses failed to appear in court to testify. Prosecutors, unable to proceed without their testimony, had their request for a continuance denied. While the charges were dropped, the prosecutor's office indicated that they could be refiled in the future if sufficient evidence is gathered and witnesses come forward. Legrande's attorney maintained that his client was not present at the bar on the night of the shooting.
