Shooting Deaths Of 2 Men In Valrico Leads To Palmetto Man's Conviction

VALRICO, FL — A 20-year-old Palmetto man has been found guilty of conspiracy, robbery and first-degree premeditated murder in connection with a robbery in which two men were killed, according to United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg.

Handberg said Jy’Quale Samari Grable faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 16.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on Dec. 22, 2020, Grable, Elijah Bell and Aquavious Smith drove to the Valrico Station Apartments, 108 Valrico Station Road, Valrico, to carry out a robbery. Grable and Smith went into a third-floor apartment around 9 p.m. while Bell stayed in the car.

On the back patio of the apartment, Grable shot a resident of the apartment in the neck, severing his spinal cord and killing him instantly, according to court records. Grable then shot another resident in the chest, perforating his heart and lung, which also lead to his death.

Neighbors heard the gunshots, and saw blood dripping down from the third-floor back balcony apartment and called 911. Hillsborough County sheriff's 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.

pleaded guilty on April 13 and Smith pleaded guilty on June 7. Both are awaiting 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.