LAFAYETTE, Calif. — A murder investigation in this quiet East Bay community has drawn attention due to a series of unsettling online messages. Authorities accuse 35-year-old David Swank Prince of fatally attacking 34-year-old Christopher Jaber with a hatchet on March 21 and subsequently being apprehended nearby.
Prosecutors have labeled the homicide as targeted, suggesting that Jaber may have been deliberately singled out prior to the attack. Investigators are currently examining a Facebook account allegedly linked to Prince, which contains a post identifying Jaber by name and urging for his death. However, law enforcement has not confirmed Prince’s ownership of the account or clarified any connection between him and the victim.
The case began unfolding shortly before noon on March 21 when Jaber’s relative called 911, reporting a suspicious individual wielding a hatchet in their backyard. Officers discovered Jaber deceased inside the dwelling and detained Prince not far from the scene. Local resident Christina Coleridge recounted witnessing a calm figure in the area at the time, noting that he was unfamiliar to the neighborhood.
As the investigation progressed, troubling social media posts attributed to a Facebook account using Prince’s name emerged. One message, dated February 19, unnervingly referenced Jaber and claimed, “the chaos of the supernatural” needed to end. Just days before the murder, the account made a chilling plea: “Can someone please kill this man.” These posts have since been removed, leaving authorities to explore their implications, including the possibility that Jaber might have been aware of them.
The case has garnered widespread attention due to the unusual nature of the crime in Lafayette, a suburban area where homicides are exceedingly rare. Last reported to have occurred around 20 years ago, the murder has shaken local residents. Coleridge expressed her horror at seeing armed officers flooded into a usually peaceful neighborhood, emphasizing the personal tragedy of losing someone who was known for his friendliness and engagement with neighbors.
While prosecutors have been clear in pursuing murder charges against Prince, specifics regarding the motive remain elusive. Investigators have not disclosed whether Prince and Jaber were acquainted, strangers, or connected through undisclosed circumstances. Additionally, the significance of the term “the eye,” used in the social media posts to describe Jaber, is still uncertain.
The crux of the case appears to consist of two intertwined narratives: the physical scene of the crime on Westminster Place and the troubling digital footprint that may indicate premeditation. As authorities delve deeper into the investigation, they plan to scrutinize digital devices, social media accounts, and witness testimonies to better understand the sequence of events leading up to the tragic incident.
Prince remains in custody, with legal proceedings in Contra Costa County progressing. If convicted on murder charges, he faces a potentially lengthy prison sentence, largely due to prior felony convictions. The community watches closely as this chilling case continues to unfold, full of unanswered questions and unsettling implications.