Witness Appeal: Murder of Jahcari Francis

Mon, 2017-07-24

Detective Sergeant Jason Smith – Approximately 10:42 p.m. on Wednesday the 19th day of July 2017, police received several 911 calls of gun shots being heard in the area of Upland Street, Devonshire.

Armed police officers responded to the area and identified the scene of this shooting where they were directed by occupants of a residence to a room, where the lifeless body of Jahcari Antoni Francis was found lying on the floor.

The officers administered life saving techniques on Jahcari Francis until the arrival of EMTs but despite the best efforts by the police and EMT personnel Jahcari Francis was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Bermuda Police Service has launched a murder investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of 20 year old Jahcari Antoni Francis, in what is being treated as a gang shooting murder between rival gang members. The killing of Jahcari Francis is the second gun murder of 2017.

This is also the second gun murder to have occurred at this residence within eight months. You will recall that on the 18th October 2016 Isaiah Furbert was murdered at this same location in what is being investigated as a gang shooting murder. The circumstances and M.O. of the murder of Jahcari Francis is identical and the two men Isaiah Furbert and Jahcari Francis were close friends.

We can only imagine the anguish and pain the occupants of this residence must be going through and on behalf of the Bermuda Police Service we extend our condolences to the families of both men.

The purpose of this press conference today is to make an appeal for witnesses. We are particularly interested in speaking with area residents that were home at the time of Wednesday night’s shooting.

We are also looking to hear from area residents and businesses in the area that have CCTV.

We are also interested in speaking with persons that saw Jahcari Francis and or spoke with him in the hours prior to his death.

The information that you provide to the police will be treated in the strictest of confidence and what you heard, saw or know can go a long way in bringing the shooter to justice and closure to the family of Jahcari Francis.

To date one man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Jahcari Francis. That man has been bailed pending further enquiries.

This was a senseless killing that could have resulted in more casualties as there were three other persons that were inside of the residence at the time and it is fortunate for them that they were not injured.

Anyone with any information can contact me, the Senior Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Jason Smith on 441-717-0864 and 441-247-1218 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-8477.