Killing of Mordecai Francis
Overview
On July 23, 2026, police responded to reports of a shooting at Risk Takers Supermarket in Freemans Village and at 8:30 AM found the owner, 60-year-old businessman Mordecai Eleazer Francis inside, unresponsive with apparent gunshot wounds. An investigation by the Serious Crimes Unit and Criminal Investigations Department led to charges against three 18-year-old men, while a fourth suspect remains at large.
Timeline
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July 23, 2026 (approx. 8:30 AM): Police respond to a shooting report on Freemans Village Main Road and discover Francis unresponsive inside Risk Takers Supermarket with apparent gunshot wounds.
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Mid-September 2026: Police arrest and formally charge David McDonald with murder following initial investigations.
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Thursday, September 24, 2026: Police formally charge Natking Thomas with murder and Dejonte Joseph with accessory to murder.
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Friday, September 25, 2026: Thomas and Joseph appear before Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel and are remanded to prison.
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November 25, 2026: Scheduled joint court appearance for McDonald, Thomas, and Joseph.
Victims
- Mordecai Eleazar Francis (also known as "Fresshy"): 60-year-old resident of Swetes, businessman, and owner/operator of Risk Takers Supermarket in Freeman's Village.
Suspects
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David McDonald (18): Resident of Golden Grove; charged with murder and remanded to prison.
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Natking Thomas (18): Resident of Cashew Hill; jointly charged with murder, represented by attorney Arthur Thomas Jr., and remanded to prison.
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Dejonte Joseph (18): Resident of Bathlodge; charged as an accessory after the fact to murder for allegedly helping transport McDonald and others, and remanded to prison.
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Janiah Antoine: Fourth suspect identified by police; remains at large.
References
https://antiguaobserver.com/golden-grove-man-charged-with-murder-of-swetes-shop-owner/
https://antiguaobserver.com/two-more-teenagers-charged-in-businessmans-murder/