In the spring of 2016, the life of 35-year-old Francisco M. Tejeda was cut short in Syracuse, New York. A Hispanic male, Tejeda was a resident of the city for seven years after moving from his birthplace in Harlem, NY. He was a former employee of the Ryan Painting Co. and was engaged to be married. His family included his fiancée, Denise Ortiz, two daughters, Lexana Carter and Noriana Carrquillo, and two sons, Tahj M. Tejeda and Juelz M.
Tejeda.
On the evening of Sunday, March 27, 2016, Tejeda was on Tioga Street when he was struck by gunfire. The Syracuse Police Department responded to the scene, and Tejeda was transported to a local hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. His death was ruled a homicide. In the days that followed, his family mourned their loss, holding calling hours and a funeral Mass at St. Lucy's Church before he was laid to rest in White Chapel Memory Gardens.
Despite the initial investigation by the Syracuse Police Department, there has been no publicly available information regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the years following Tejeda's death. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and the motive behind it remain unsolved, leaving a painful void for his family and community. The case of Francisco Tejeda's death is a somber reminder of the enduring impact of gun violence and the lingering questions that haunt unsolved homicides.
