After more than a year with no arrest, a Queens man was taken into custody Monday, May 25, 2026, in connection with the December 2024 shooting that killed 26-year-old new father Kimani Cyrus. Investigators said they picked up a suspect in Jamaica after reviewing surveillance footage and other leads. Cyrus was shot in Springfield Gardens and later died at Jamaica Hospital, authorities said.
Prosecutors identified the suspect as Odane Francis, who was charged with murder and weapons possession and held without bail at his arraignment, as reported by New York Daily News. Police said investigators located Francis in Jamaica and arrested him after matching him to video evidence.
How Prosecutors Say The Shooting Unfolded
According to prosecutors, the shooting happened the night of Dec. 3, 2024, on 222nd Street near 145th Avenue in Springfield Gardens. "Video surveillance shows Francis extending his arm and firing, then later firing multiple shots that struck Cyrus," Assistant District Attorney Joanna Matuza said, per the New York Daily News. Prosecutors say three shots struck Cyrus. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he later died.
Family Remembers The New Father
Friends and relatives described Cyrus as a devoted husband and young father. His mother told reporters he worked at Amazon and that he and his wife share a toddler daughter, who is about 3 years old. A family friend reacted with visible shock when the arrest was announced, saying she felt faint and needed to sit down, according to family accounts.
Legal Status And Next Steps
Francis was arraigned in Queens and is due back in court on June 15, 2026, prosecutors said. He is being held without bail while prosecutors prepare the case, which they say rests in part on the surveillance video and prior firearm-related arrests tied to the suspect.
Where This Fits In Southeast Queens Enforcement Efforts
The arrest comes amid broader efforts by the Queens District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD to stem gun violence in Southeast Queens. In September 2025 prosecutors announced a large indictment of alleged members of the Floss Money Ballers, a takedown officials said targeted a year-long string of shootings across Springfield Gardens and nearby neighborhoods. The Queens District Attorney’s Office said that operation was part of a sustained push to reduce gun violence in the borough: Queens District Attorney's Office.
Tips And Contacts
Investigators continue to ask anyone with video or information about the Dec. 3, 2024, shooting to contact the NYPD’s 105th Precinct or Crime Stoppers. Detectives said witness tips and footage were instrumental in identifying the suspect and remain key to the ongoing investigation.
