In the late summer of 2018, the life of 34-year-old May Francois was tragically cut short in a brazen daylight shooting in the Central Business District of New Orleans. On the afternoon of August 14, a Tuesday, gunshots shattered the typical city sounds, leading police to a grim discovery at the intersection of Gravier and O'Keefe streets. There, a dark-colored sedan had crashed into the Exchange Center Building, and inside, Francois was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to University Medical Center, but his injuries proved fatal.
The incident prompted a significant police response, with heavily armed officers establishing a perimeter as they investigated reports that three individuals were seen fleeing from Francois's car. The investigation quickly zeroed in on a getaway vehicle captured on surveillance footage. This crucial piece of evidence led authorities to a 19-year-old Marine Corps reservist named Quan Charles.
Following his arrest, Charles was booked on one count of second-degree murder. During questioning, he admitted to being in the back of Francois's car for a drug transaction. He claimed that he had a gun pointed at Francois with his finger on the trigger when it accidentally discharged twice. However, the evidence told a different story. An autopsy revealed that Francois had sustained at least four gunshot wounds, leading investigators to believe the act was intentional. Despite his claims of an accident, Quan Charles was held on a $500,000 bond as the sole suspect in the murder of May Francois.
