JSO: Suspect arrested in North Carolina for murder of off-duty JSO Corrections Officer Bradley McNew

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Update 11:00 a.m Sunday.: During a press briefing today, Sheriff T.K. Waters announced the arrest of Demaurea Grant, 29, in North Carolina, in connection with the murder of Jacksonville Corrections Officer Bradley McNew.

JSO reported that the suspect was apprehended at 7:30 a.m. Sunday in Gastonia, North Carolina, following a national manhunt. He is reportedly a convicted felon with a lengthy history of violent crime.

Grant was taken into custody without further incident, thanks to a coordinated effort involving the U.S. Marshals Task Force, the State Attorney’s Office, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), and other agencies.

Sheriff Waters confirmed that a woman who was with Grant at the time was also arrested on an unrelated North Carolina warrant. It is currently undetermined if she will face charges in connection to Officer McNew’s murder, as that remains part of the ongoing investigation by the State Attorney’s Office. She has not been named by JSO at this time.

“With accountability, we can define this act for what it is: murder. And I’m honored we could be a voice for Officer McNew and his family. Today, with the prospect of accountability, our collective horror turns to collective hope,” stated Sheriff T.K. Waters.

More information regarding the charges against Grant will be released once reviewed.

Grant is reportedly facing charges of murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault with a firearm, and discharging a firearm in public.

JSO has not released mugshots of the arrested suspects due to an ongoing investigation.

For continued updates, follow this story closely as further details emerge.

Update 10:10 a.m Sunday.: The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) has announced a press conference for today, October 13, at 11:00 a.m., where Sheriff T.K. Waters will discuss new developments in the murder of JSO Corrections Officer Bradley McNew.

Original: An off-duty Jacksonville corrections officer was fatally shot early Saturday morning at a Love’s gas station near Jacksonville International Airport following a violent domestic dispute. Sheriff T.K. Waters announced that the suspect remains at large, prompting a nationwide manhunt.

Manhunt in deadly off-duty officer shooting

The suspect was last seen around 2:00 a.m., heading northbound on Main Street toward Nassau County. A black 2000s model Mustang with North Carolina license plate RHL4285 remains a key focus in the investigation.

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Jacksonville Sheriff Waters reported that the incident occurred at approximately 1:20 a.m. A violent dispute between a Black male (suspect) and a White female escalated inside a black Mustang at the gas pumps on Duval Road and International Airport Boulevard.

During the argument, the male suspect was seen by witnesses getting out of the vehicle from the passenger seat and walking around to the driver’s side. He then reportedly placed a black handgun on the hood of the car before forcefully pulling the woman out of the driver’s seat, violently throwing her against the vehicle and the ground.

Corrections officer Brad McNew, a 24-year veteran with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), had just reportedly finished his shift when he heard the noise and went to check on the woman.

According to Sheriff Waters, McNew asked if she was okay, but the male suspect approached him and stated it was “family business.”

The argument between the man and the woman reportedly continued to escalate. At one point, the suspect pointed his gun at McNew but did not fire. The woman appeared to attempt to restrain the man, but they eventually got into a black 2000s model Ford Mustang, with the woman behind the wheel. As they drove away, the suspect leaned out of the window and fired multiple shots, striking McNew.

McNew was transported to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Sheriff Waters confirmed that McNew was not in uniform at the time of the incident.

JSO reports that the entire incident unfolded in under five minutes.

The suspect was last seen around 2:00 a.m. heading northbound on Main Street toward Nassau County. Their vehicle was a black Mustang with a North Carolina license plate RHL4285.

Sheriff Waters described the suspect as armed and dangerous, urging the public not to approach him and to immediately contact law enforcement if spotted. Sheriff Waters stated that this has turned into a nationwide search, and they have some good information to work with based on the tags.

JSO continues to investigate the incident and asks anyone with information to call 911.

Nationwide manhunt underway

This marks the first JSO officer killed by an act of violence since 1995.

Below is a security camera video of the incident. Warning: This video may be disturbing to some viewers.

Sheriff Waters said in a released social media statement, “We are devastated by the brutal and senseless murder of one of our brave officers, who was taken from us while selflessly serving and protecting our community. This is an attack not only on our agency but on the very fabric of law and order. We will stop at nothing to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure they face the full weight of the law. Our fallen officer’s sacrifice will never be forgotten, and we stand united in our commitment to honor his memory by relentlessly pursuing justice.”

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan released a statement to Action News Jax, stating, “My heart is with the family of Officer Bradley McNew and the entire JSO community after he was taken from them so suddenly and tragically last night. Jacksonville will always be grateful for the heroism he showed while off duty and for his 24 years of service to our city. Officer McNew and his family are in our prayers.”

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