In the early morning hours of September 9, 2021, the life of Austin Burgher, a 59-year-old Black / African American male originally from Jamaica, was tragically cut short in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The quiet of a residence on Platt Street was shattered around 1:30 a.m. by the sound of gunfire, prompting a police response. When officers arrived at the home, they were met with hostility and danger as shots were fired at them from inside the house.
The officers took cover and established a perimeter, leading to a tense standoff that would last for more than two hours.
The situation de-escalated when 25-year-old Tarik Francis surrendered to the authorities. Upon entering the home, police discovered a grim scene. Inside, they found the bodies of Austin Burgher and a second victim, 19-year-old Candace Goodwin of Stratford. Both had sustained fatal gunshot wounds. The investigation that followed suggested that this was not a random act of violence, but an isolated incident where the victims were known to the suspect. It was revealed that Goodwin had been in a relationship with Francis.
Following the discovery, Tarik Francis was taken into custody and faced serious charges for the deaths. He was charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of attempted first-degree assault. A judge set his bond at $5 million. While an arrest was made, the motive behind the shootings remained unclear, leaving a community to mourn the loss of two lives. Austin Burgher was remembered as a beloved father and grandfather, leaving his family and friends to grapple with the sudden and violent end to his life.
