BRIDGEPORT — Local police announced on Monday that a man suspected of killing his 23-year-old girlfriend, the daughter of a figure in the Jamaican reggae scene, had been apprehended out of state.
Derrick Francis, 41, was arrested in Ohio and will be charged with the murder of Brianna Destiny McKoy when he is extradited to Connecticut, Capt. Kevin Gilleran, public information officer for the Bridgeport Police Department, said. Bond was set at $3 million. Francis was held in Ohio as a fugitive from justice pending extradition, Gilleran said.
“I would like to thank the Bridgeport Police Homicide Squad and all our law enforcement partners in Ohio for the speedy apprehension of this violent suspect,” Gilleran said in a statement.
Francis, also known as Ainsley Forbes, was dating McKoy at the time of her death, according to police. Gilleran said police had previously responded to incidents involving the couple. He characterized McKoy’s death as a “domestic violence homicide.”
Residents of a North End condominium complex reported hearing gunfire followed by the sound of a car speeding away on the morning of April 6 before McKoy was found fatally shot around 11:20 a.m., according to police. Her baby was located at the scene, police said.
McKoy’s father, described by the Jamaican publication The Gleaner as “veteran music selector” Ricky Trooper, took to Instagram to mourn his daughter’s death. In the ensuing days, Trooper shared a number of childhood photos of McKoy and expressed support for efforts to catch Francis.
“You’re gone, but not forgotten,” Trooper said during a montage of photos of McKoy. “Your memories will live on.”
On Monday, Trooper shared a picture of the wanted poster, edited to read that Francis had been apprehended, to his Instagram account.
Francis was arrested in the Cleveland suburb of Solon, Ohio, by local police, according to Gilleran. Investigators began pursuing Francis after he fled a car on foot during a traffic stop and soon took him into custody, Gilleran said. He was charged by Ohio police with weapons offenses after a loaded firearm was found in the car, Gilleran said.
Francis’ arrest was announced by Bridgeport police in a Facebook post Monday afternoon. Gilleran said the investigation remains active.
Anyone with information regarding McKoy’s death can contact Det. Keith Hanson at 203-581-5243 or submit an anonymous tip to the Bridgeport Police Department’s tip line at 203-576-TIPS.
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