The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A 22-year-old man was shot multiple times and killed while driving on Mount Royal Avenue early yesterday, becoming the sixth homicide in the country in four days and the fourth in New Providence.

Officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle said the victim was in his car when two men with handguns approached him.

“We got a call that there was a shooting incident here in the Mount Royal Avenue area. Officers responded and they met an adult male suffering from gunshot injuries to the body,” Chief Supt Rolle said.

“Preliminary information revealed that the male, who was in his vehicle at the time, was accosted by two males who opened fire on him. He sped off and turned into Hampton Street and crashed into a tree, where he succumbed to his injuries. We are looking for a silver Honda, that we believe the assailants were in.”

Police identified the victim as Brian Francis Jr.

When The Tribune arrived at the scene, the victim’s father, Brian Francis Sr, was visibly distraught and lying on the ground.

He told this newspaper that he is still in shock and does not believe that his “baby boy” is gone.

“His mother called me after 8am and I was at work. She said something happened,” Mr Francis Sr said.

“I am still in shock. When I got here I just wanted to stay on the floor. I feel out of it. This is so sad to see. I mean, so many of our young men are going down that road and now it finally hit home for me. I have three boys and he was the last one. I just have to figure out what is next.”

This homicide – which took the country’s murder count to 106 for the year according to the Tribune’s records – came about 24 hours after a married couple was discovered dead in their home in Grand Bahama.

The victims – Barry and Sheila Johnson – were found shot dead shortly before 9am at an apartment complex in the Holmes Rock area. Police said both victims were shot once in the head.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

Investigations continue.