Zaafir Jerry Obituary, Death – A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the deadly shooting of a teenage boy in Southwest Philadelphia earlier this month. Raynald Francois turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday, following an investigation into the incident.
The Philadelphia Police Department had responded to reports of gunfire on June 8 in the 2200 block of South Felton Street. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a 17-year-old boy unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He had been shot in the head, hip, and back.
Emergency responders quickly transported the teen to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Despite efforts to save him, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The victim was identified by police as Zaafir Jerry. His death has been ruled a homicide.
While investigating the scene, police recovered a total of 12 spent 9mm shell casings. They also located a firearm in the vicinity, though authorities have not specified whether it was the weapon used in the shooting or how it was connected to the suspect.
Following an investigation that included collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses, authorities were able to identify Francois as the primary suspect in Jerry’s killing. The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including a possible motive or relationship between Francois and the victim, have not been disclosed at this time.
Francois now faces a murder charge and is in custody as the legal process moves forward.
Police continue to investigate the case and have asked anyone with additional information to come forward.