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HomeNewsArchivesWoman is Second Homicide in Two Days on St. Croix

Woman is Second Homicide in Two Days on St. Croix

Feb. 23, 2006 – St. Croix recorded its second killing in less than two days when a 68-year-old man allegedly shot a St. Thomas woman to death in the Mon Bijou community early Thursday morning.
Police spokesman Sgt. Thomas Hannah said officers originally responded to reports of shots fired. "When they were entering the Mon Bijou area, they encountered a distraught man who indicated that he had done something terrible…that he had shot a woman at his house," he said.
Hannah said that as officers entered the residence, they observed a female "lying face down; they examined the victim who was not responsive." The woman appeared to have suffered a single gunshot wound to the lower torso. "Apparently she expired at the scene," Hannah said.
Lucien Francis of 373 Mon Bijou was arrested and is being held at the Golden Grove Correctional Facility after being charged with first-degree murder. No bail was set.
The victim was identified as Jaheem Williams, 32. Williams has what Hannah described as "strong family ties to St. Croix." Williams was visiting relatives on St. Croix and went to Francis' home where an altercation reportedly took place.
Francis told police that during the encounter, Williams was shot.
Hannah said the weapon used in the shooting was confiscated as evidence by detectives. "The shotgun was duly licensed and registered to Mr. Francis. He did have authorization to possess that weapon for protection."
Hannah said Williams has relatives who are employed with the V.I. Police Department. "Commissioner Elton Lewis and Police Chief Novelle Francis Jr. extend their condolences to the Williams family," he said.
The case remains under investigation. Williams' death is the seventh in the territory this year, the fourth on St. Croix.

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