UPDATE: Melbourne Francis had signed out of Witness Protection Programme-relative
The sound of what was believed to have been four gun shots rang out in the community, sending many persons running for cover while others in the area secured their homes.
According to an eyewitness, she had just left the Stickett where she and several others were in the company of Melbourne Francis aka 'Trouble' when she allegedly noticed four men fully clothed in black heading to the direction of the Stickett. "Well I didn't suspect nothing because they were walking normal coming."
The eyewitness alleged it was a matter of seconds as she was passing the vehicle, which Francis had driven to the area, when she heard shouting and looking back saw the four men dressed in black running from the scene past the Long Look clinic on the road, which is commonly called Lovers Lane.
"When I look around I see Trouble on the ground and plenty blood. Everybody that was under there [some names called] run away and I run away too," reported the eyewitness.
When it was suspected that all was calm and it was safe, the eyewitness reportedly returned to the scene by which time ranks of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) had already arrived and had formed a human and vehicle cordon of the area. "I go round there and I see for real Trouble dead." The eye witness alleged it was difficult to make out the alleged shooters as they all had black clothing and wore black hoods over their faces.
Asked why she had left the company of the victim at the time she did, the eye witness said she had enough of being out for the evening and was heading to her home.
She also recalled the name of a known character that was in the company of the victim prior to the shooting. "He [the known character’s name] got up, he was right there with trouble, and he moved off and said he was going to the bar. Little after he moved off them men come and clean up trouble," alleged the eyewitness.
It was reported that while Melbourne Francis was sitting in the company of a few friends, several other persons were under the Stickett watching movies among other activities.
"It’s sad but we all know this was coming, we all expected that this would have happen sooner or later," the eyewitness confidently alleged.
Some time after the incident, the victim's mother and sister came rushing to the scene but as they attempted to get close to the Stickett where the body was lying, they were aggressively stopped by police.
"No, no, no, God they kill my son for truth," cried the mother, "I tell he you know, I tell he stay away from this place, I want to see my son, let me see my son," she continued as both female and male police officers attempted to keep her from getting close to the body.
A sister had also arrived on the scene together with the mother and was also attempting to get close to the body. "How is my brother?" she cried, "Officer is my brother, I want see my brother officer, how they kill my brother officer," she screamed.
By this time more RVIPF officers had arrived on the scene and curious onlookers were forced further away from the view of the body. The police erected a yellow tape cordon around the greater sections of the area from the back of the clinic in the vicinity where Keri Harrigan was shot and killed, to end of the fence at the front of the clinic. Ingress and egress to the area via vehicle was now restricted.
Trapped in the cordon was the rented vehicle that Melbourne Francis had driven to Long Look. When the alleged owner of the rental arrived he said that the victim was scheduled to return the car today May 10, 2013. "When I hear about the incident right away I called he (Francis) number and he didn’t answer and I know for sure what I heard was true because bap, bap, I get two calls and one was crying, that made me know for sure," alleged the man who claimed he was the owner of the vehicle.
On the scene also was the victim's daughter who seemed no older than 9 years of age. She was in the company of her mother, the victim’s common law partner.
Francis had signed out of Witness Protection Programme
According to relatives, Francis had returned to the Virgin Islands recently after he had signed out of the Witness Protection Programme. It was said that he was “fed up” of being away and decided to return home.
He was scheduled to testify in July in a case of attempted murder against him.
"He get too comfortable man. He come back and used to stay in hiding. He used to come down here sometimes but he use to stay in the vehicle but he get too comfortable and now he come on and was hanging with us at the Stickett," alleged the eyewitness.
It took the relevant investigators and crime scene specialist quite some time to do what was required before allowing the body to be removed from the scene at 11:55 P.M. As the body was being put on the stretcher by porters, there was a sudden silence and then one of the most sad moments was recorded, the sudden loud cry of a young child, "Daddy daddy, ah, ah, ah, daddy." Looking around at that moment several persons were seen wiping away tears while some shook their heads in distraught.
"From tomorrow nobody is going under there you know," someone said of the Stickett. One man alleged that when he saw Francis being shot he ran away and was crying. "Man the tears just come and big man like me crying in the street." He did not say much more but just sat in a corner and looked on as the body was taken away.
Many persons on the scene referred to the fact that Francis was due to appear in the High Court and speculated that his brutal murder was intended to silence him. "You think anybody else was going to go down like Yan and Allen?" remarked a bystander.
Police question witnesses in homicide near stickett
According to a release sent by the RVIPF, Police are questioning witnesses in relation to a homicide which took place last evening around 8:30pm in Long Look near the Stickett.
Melbourne Francis, 30, of Long Look was pronounced dead at the scene around 10pm last night. Persons reported hearing gunfire in the area just prior to the incident. The cause of death is still to be determined.
Reports described one man wearing dark clothing with a hoody and mask seen fleeing the scene around the time of the incident in the direction of the Church of God of Prophecy in Long Look. Other reports suggest that there may have been more than one assailant also dressed in dark clothing. Police suspect a tinted vehicle may have been scouting the area prior to the incident.
The successful apprehension of the suspects in this homicide depends in part on the support of the community. Therefore the RVIPF is appealing to the members of the community who may have been in the area at the time of the incident or may have information about the identity of attacker/s, or may have seen a tinted vehicle surveying the area to come forward.
Persons can contact the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force at their toll-free non-emergency number 311 and ask for any officer with the Major Crime Team. Persons can also call the Crimestoppers number 800-8477 and give information anonymously.
See previous article posted on May 9, 2013
Man shot dead in Long Look!
- victim identified as Melbourne Francis
LONG LOOK, Tortola, VI - Information just reaching this news site indicates that a man was shot dead moments ago in the community of Long Look.
The victim has since been identified as 30-year-old Melbourne Francis aka Trouble of Long Look.
Reports indicate that the man was shot in the vicinity of the stickett in Long Look just after 8PM tonight, May 9, 2013.
Three men were charged and placed before the High Court after Francis was shot and injured previously in Nottingham Estate on March 13, 2011.
Members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) are currently on the scene and conducting investigations.
Virgin Islands News Online will provide more details as they become available.
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208 Responses to “UPDATE: Melbourne Francis had signed out of Witness Protection Programme-relative”
R.I.P
The police commissioner needs to check the prison. THOSE GUYS IN THERE WITH CELL PHONES. That should not be allowed in the prison. That crime was set up from right there in the prison. CHECK THE PRISON< CHECK THE PRISON. That whole thing was a set up there tonight. Someone on the sticket call those guys to come and kill that boy and it is all connected back to the PRISON. CHECK THE PRISON
We really have it wrong. This place needs a real check on reality. And guess what! Some of you might get upset when I say this, but the government do not care about our young people. Especially those that are from the United Kingdom. As far as they are concerned, the would rather see our young generation wipped out. This is because they have their plans. Why do you think they don't want to improve the law inforcement units with the proper resources. The Governor is not for us because we are the wrong colour. The Premier is not for us because, he only cares about money and all of the others under his leadership are not for us. See what Myron did with all that money from the Youth Development Program fund. Things can be better but we need to take a logical look and see whats really going on. Then and only then will things change.
Solution you have a point this was my cousin that they gun down and my other cousin that is on trial for the attempted murder .i have no doubt in my mind that the one in p....son had something to do with it and if i was his father i would have notthing to do with him for he has cause shame to our famaily name .The boy is a rotten apple.This young should not have die there is a God above rejoice ye wicked boy for the day of the lord cometh as a thief in the night.Your day will be with lord.
Right here is this isle, where the sunshine is golden bright.
Don't go thinking these things happen only where there is cold , misty and serene climate .
They should hang the killers!!!
When you living you life playing big shots, bullet have no names, when they coming for you.....................omg
IGNORANT FOOL Y.E.S. AND R.S.S. IS BEHIND THIS. WHO GAVE U GUYS THE RIGHT TO TAKE HIS LIFE UR NOT GOD.. REGARDLESS OF WHAT BAD MAN MELOBORNE WAS PLAYING OR U FEEL HE WAS PLAYING GIVE NO ONE THE RIGHT TO TAKE HIS LIFE NOW A MOTHER GOT TO GO ON WITH OUT HER ONLY SON, THREE SISTERS WITH OUT A BROTHER A FATHER WITH OUT A SON AND A DAUGHTER WITHOUT HER FATHER AND A GIRLFRIEND WITHOUT HER MATE..... Y.E.S. NEED TO BE CH*PPED UP AND D@SH AWAY LIKE THE DOG THAT HE IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People who you think kill kerri harrigan its not them, look at this blood war, as i would say take them all out, this is wickness in the BVI.
RIP young man.
BVI WAKE UP!!!! This nonsense has got to stop..
You boast about commandments and there's a lot of teaching that Adventist teaches that goes agaisnt the same word or God but who am I to Judge .
The bible ask us to obey the laws of the land! (Moral Law) ! He also states you live by the sword you will die by it no one know if that young asked God to save his soul with his last breath! Its time we wake up and stop being idiots n back bitter n burn our knees at the altar n pray for these toung men in our community n across the world ! But yall rather sit and critisize about who teaching what !
I rebuke that statement in the Lord of Jesus. Tortola is covered under the Blood of Jesus.
This is all zu.....fault she was the master mind in this thing . She needs to be questioned
There are so many ills in this country.
My prayers and love go out to the family and friends of this young man.
May God comfort you all.
if that S........ boy thing he could murder work obiah or whatever to get away he lie, God nor sleep or slumber R*D HE@D will give him the maximum and a half.
from last night the news came out, not to long after pictures start surfacing; the pain this family is going through at this time is not an easy one. I hope that if someone saw that they would do the right thing; they keep saying Tortola is a small place yet we let these killers lime around our homes , eat from our pot, and like a thief in the night they come and take the precious goods from your home. Don't turn a blind eye that block is always full no matter the time someone is there. Is easy to see they have sometime to hide question is what is it?? Y....and R...... you just put yourself even more guilty than ever i hope justice is served... R.I.P Melbourne
I prayer that these murderer/s on the lose are found asap. I hate knowing I am living around heartless criminals. I hate when they feel comfortable thinking they get away with a crime and can just social among persons. As seen on the recent kidnapping case in the US the criminals are so close, act so normal and right in your face for the 10years these females were abducted. Just saying this to prove that the criminal/s might have just looked your way either in the supermarket, bank, street, airport and ferry terminals, hospital, hotels, car rental companies. So you know they MUST be out there, so people be observant but don't make it obvious.
Officers you have another case to solve. You can do it with the help of the community and good leads. (eyewitnesses do not be scared to speak, break the silence in crimes). On another note, authorities need to give eyewitnesses better security measures to protect them and their families. Eg. their names should be strictly unknown, and they should not be visible to the alleged criminals.
Remember to check the car rentals and airport/ferry terminals, mobile calls/messages, video cameras whatever sources. Keep on the beat at every corner, stop checks, leave hidden microphones at certain blocks (not sure if you have those resources but just saying).
And you MURDERERS reading the news and comments, I know you have to feel uncomfortable walking out in public somehow, someway....because people are looking out...."Hills Have Eyes"...
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the MOST HIGH shall abide in the shadow of the ALMIGHTY. RIP MELBOURNE!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 Love
And so it shall come to pass.... watch
It was not wise of the mother to carry his daughter to that scene. That is a memory forever embedded in that childs head. My condolences to the family.
I miss my cuzz I will never see him on earth I will never forget this( R..... hell is come for you )
of them..
but its only because the government lets them keep them phone.
NEWSFLASH: if you don't do crime you won't give any "rats" things to rat about!
Let this be an example people. When you choose a certain lifestyle there is rules! This man had an attempt on his life and KNEW who did it but CHOOSE NOT TO RIDE ON HIS ENEMIES he choose the law. When someone trying to take your life ITS NEVER OVER ASLONG AS THE PERSON OR PERSONS still breathing. Going to police and hiding gave these man enough time to plot then this cat not only checks his self out of protective custody....get this...HE GOES BACK ON THE SAME TURF TO HANG OUT, SAME TURF THEY KILL HIS BOY C'MON SON! It look like he didn't even have a weapon on him and reading this article and witness account ONCE AGAIN IT SEEM LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO DIE. This man essentially killed himself with all the decisions he made! I'm a product of the hood WEST aka "THE WAR YARD" My daddy was a Rass and a G....I'm speaking in the sense of the streets...YOU GOT TO RIDE ON YOUR ENEMIES OR THEY WILL RIDE ON YOU. It is that simple, the rules to the street is WAY EASIER to comprehend than those of society the rules of the streets is STRAIGHT FORWARD no grey areas....BLACK or WHITE... THE END.
What a gift for Mother's Day.