Contact: Sgt. Joy Matthews
Email: joy.matthews@kentcountymi.gov
Supervisor Approval: Sgt. Bill Marks
Case Number: 21-100786
Incident Type: Homicide

UPDATE on 02/12/2021 at 2:07 PM: A second suspect is charged in the 01/06/2021 homicide of Markel Tyrel Williams at the Clarion Inn and Suites in Cascade Township.

On 02/12/2021, the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office issued the below charges on Devanta Jamari Glasper (27) from Grand Rapids:

1. Homicide-Open Murder
2. Homicide-Felony Murder
3. Armed Robbery
4. Felony Firearm (3 counts)

Glasper was being held at the Gila County Jail in Globe, Arizona on a bond violation out of the 17^th Circuit Court and is contesting extradition back to Grand Rapids. The homicide charge was added today and Glasper was arraigned virtually by Judge Smolenski of the 63^rd District Court. A $2 million dollar cash bond was set.

The other suspect in the case, Jonqual Ernest Shaw (27), was previously charged with Felony Murder, Open Murder, Armed Robbery, and Felony Firearm on 01/20/2021.

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UPDATE on 01/21/2021 at 5:15 PM: On 01/20/2021, the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office charged Jonqual Earnest Shaw (27) with Felony Murder, Open Murder, Armed Robbery, and Felony Firearm in the death of Markel Tyrel Williams. Investigators from the KCSO believe Shaw, and an unnamed accomplice, attempted to rob Williams of his electronics and personal belongings on 01/06/2021. Williams was shot during the robbery and later died at the hospital. Further details surrounding the case are being withheld as investigators are looking into the role of additional suspect(s). Shaw was arraigned at the 63rd District Court on 01/21/2021. He has no bond.

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CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Jan. 6, 2021) – On 01/06/2021 at 1:08 PM, deputies from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the Clarion Inn and Suites, located at 4981 28th St SE in Cascade Township, on a report of people fighting outside and someone being shot. When deputies arrived on scene, they located Markel Tyrel Williams (23) of Grand Rapids unresponsive in the parking lot. Williams was transported via ambulance to the hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.

Two suspects were observed running away from the scene after the shooting occurred, and investigators believe one of them may have been shot during the altercation. The suspects are described as black males in their late teens or early 20s.

If you have any information about the homicide, please contact the Kent County Sheriff’s Office at (616) 632-6357 or submit a tip through the KCSO Mobile App. You can also submit an anonymous tip to Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.

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