LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– A suspect in two Lexington murders has been charged almost one year after the crimes occurred.
19-year-old Jemel Joquan Barber, of Georgetown, was transferred from the Scott County Detention Center to the Fayette County Detention Center early Monday morning.
He is facing a number of charges in connection to the 2017 shooting deaths of 29-year-old Charles Shryock and 40-year-old Tyrece Clark.
The first crime happened around 5:20 a.m. July 22 in the 300 block of Race Street.
Police say 29-year-old Charles Shryock was shot in the chest and ran to his home on East 2nd Street for help.
He was transported to UK Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
According to an arrest citation, Barber was in the course of committing a robbery and was armed. He intended to shoot the target of the robbery, but instead hit Shryock.
The second crime happened around 9:20 p.m. July 23 in the 1400 block of Versailles Road.
According to an arrest citation, police arrived in the area and found Clark suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to UK Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Barber was later identified as a suspect in the crime and police were informed that he was currently in custody on unrelated warrants in Scott County.
During the course of an interview, Barber reportedly admitted to police that he was involved in a plan to rob Clark of money and/or narcotics. He said once they arrived at residence, Clark became suspicious and a shootout began. He admitted to firing several rounds at Clark from a semi-automatic rifle.
Barber is charged with fourth-degree assault, two counts of murder, two counts of first-degree robbery, and first-degree wanton endangerment.
