Chase Village man shot dead

According to police, Francis was at a bar on the Southern Main Road, when a man driving a silver- coloured Nissan Tiida car pulled into the driveway, got out with gun in his hand and shot Fancis in the chest.

When Francis fell to the ground, the gunman rummaged through his pockets, then got back into the car and sped off.

Speaking to relatives yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James, reporters were told Francis who was last employed as a plant processor at Carib, had just dropped his daughter off at home, and stopped at the bar to buy cigarettes.

Relatives added that a day before he was killed, Francis narrowly escaped from a robbery. However, relatives do not believe the robbery was linked to the shooting. “This was a hit plain and simple,” said a relative who asked not to be identified.

“This wasn’t about jewellery. It was a hit. The day before he came and told his brother that apparently people had come to rob him, but he managed to get into his car and drive away.

“I don’t know what happened, but I feel they killed him out of jealousy. Plenty people out there suffering and cannot get anything and they are envious of people who have.” Relatives described Francis as an ambitious person who liked to dress well and wear flashy jewellery.

Investigations are continuing.