Fairfield Man Arrested for Christmas Eve Shooting Death

24-year-old Jamere Burtram Franklin charged with homicide and illegal gun possession

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:10am

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An extreme close-up of a single spent shell casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the evidence of a violent crime.The arrest of a suspect in a deadly Christmas Eve shooting exposes the grim realities of gun violence in one California community.Today in Sacramento

Fairfield police have arrested 24-year-old Jamere Burtram Franklin in connection with the shooting death of 35-year-old Darius Leaks on Christmas Eve 2025. Franklin was tracked down to an apartment complex in Sacramento and taken into custody after a 'high-risk' vehicle stop. He has been charged with homicide and illegal possession of a loaded firearm.

Why it matters

Gun violence and homicides remain a persistent public safety concern in many California communities, with the Christmas Eve shooting in Fairfield being the latest tragic incident. The arrest of a suspect provides some closure for the victim's family, but also raises questions about the factors contributing to such violence and what more can be done to prevent these types of crimes.

The details

According to police, Darius Leaks, 35, was dropped off at NorthBay Medical Center around 1 p.m. on December 24, 2025, after being shot in the 400 block of Cottonwood Drive in Fairfield. Through their investigation, detectives developed probable cause to identify 24-year-old Jamere Burtram Franklin as the suspect, and an arrest warrant was issued by the Solano County Superior Court. Franklin was later tracked down and arrested in a 'high-risk' vehicle stop at an apartment complex in Sacramento.

  • The shooting occurred on December 24, 2025 in Fairfield.
  • Leaks was dropped off at the hospital around 1 p.m. that day.
  • Franklin was arrested on Monday, March 31, 2026.

The players

Jamere Burtram Franklin

A 24-year-old Fairfield resident who has been arrested and charged with homicide and illegal possession of a loaded firearm in connection with the Christmas Eve 2025 shooting death of Darius Leaks.

Darius Leaks

A 35-year-old man who was shot and killed in Fairfield on Christmas Eve 2025.

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What’s next

Franklin is expected to appear in Solano County Superior Court in the coming days for an arraignment on the homicide and gun charges.

The takeaway

This arrest highlights the ongoing challenges communities face in addressing gun violence and preventing senseless tragedies. While the suspect is now in custody, the case underscores the need for comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of such crimes and provide support for victims' families.