Man now charged with murder after 7-Y-O hit by stray bullet dies

The man accused of firing the stray bullet that struck and later killed seven-year-old Jeremiah Gustave has now been formally charged with murder.

On Tuesday, Odel Garnette, also known as “Crab,” appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, where the charge against him was upgraded from attempted murder to murder, following the child’s death on March 29.

Jeremiah was shot in the head on July 9, 2024, while sitting at his mother’s food stall on Charles Street, Charlestown, Georgetown during a reported crossfire between two individuals. He spent eight months in a coma and underwent multiple surgeries before succumbing to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the court heard that the previous attempted murder charge has been set aside, and the prosecution has now formally filed a murder charge. Garnette, who has been on remand since October 2024, is scheduled to return to court on May 27.

The case had already entered the trial stage under the previous charge before Jeremiah’s passing.

Meanwhile, the child’s mother, Keisha Gustave, continues to call for full justice, especially after charges were previously withdrawn against a second suspect in the case.