Terrence Briggs

Terrence Briggs, a 35-year-old African-American man known to loved ones as "Troop," is remembered for his loving, funny, and carefree personality. Those who knew him recall a goofy, loyal, and genuine person who offered words of wisdom, even if he was hard to take seriously at times. His death left a profound void in the lives of his family and friends, who continue to share memories of him years later.

On the night of Friday, December 9, 2016, the life of the San Francisco resident was cut short by gun violence in the city's Bayview district. At approximately 8:24 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting in the 4900 block of Third Street, between Palou and Quesada avenues. Officers arrived to find Briggs suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The San Francisco Police Department launched a homicide investigation, but details about the circumstances of the shooting were not immediately available, and no arrests were made in the initial days. The case has remained unsolved for years, leaving a family without answers and a community searching for justice. The Bayview neighborhood experienced a string of shootings in December 2016 and early January 2017, contributing to a climate of concern over violence in the area.

A potential connection to Briggs's case emerged in a separate homicide investigation. Three weeks after Briggs was killed, another man, 35-year-old Mitchell Smith Jr., was fatally shot on New Year's Day 2017 on the very same block. In August 2023, a judge ruled that Michael Peace would stand trial for Smith's murder. During a preliminary hearing, the court heard that police were led to Peace through his connection to Terrence Briggs, with whom he had been arrested in 2016. Furthermore, the weapon used to kill Smith was discovered in a home linked to Briggs. This development, suggesting a possible revenge motive in the Smith case, cast a new light on the circumstances surrounding Briggs's unsolved murder, though it did not lead to charges in his death.

The investigation into the murder of Terrence Briggs is ongoing. His loved ones continue to mourn, lighting virtual candles and leaving messages of love and remembrance on memorial websites. One cousin wrote in 2023, "still thinking of you," a testament to the lasting impact of his life and the enduring pain of his absence.

As of late 2023, no arrests have been announced and no suspects have been publicly identified in the killing of Terrence Briggs. The San Francisco Police Department has not released any further information about a potential motive or the events that led to the shooting. The case remains an open and active investigation. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information regarding the homicide to come forward.