Gunshots At Car Lot Cut Short Owner's Joy
Robbery Suspected In District Slaying

By Allan Lengel
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, December 26, 2005

On Christmas Eve, after attending the Redskins game, mega-fan Francis Kamara drove to his used-car lot in Northeast Washington to dole out employee bonuses, relatives said.

Swept up in the euphoria of the Redskins' victory and the joy of the holiday season, he arrived at the small lot on Bladensburg Avenue about 5:20 p.m., relatives said. He went inside. He came out. Suddenly, shots were fired.

Kamara, 38, whom friends called Frank, was hit more than once and fell to the pavement between the cars. D.C. police said a man -- about 5 feet 10 inches, 170 pounds, in a black baseball cap, black peacoat and dark pants -- ran off, darting through the alley before possibly getting into a large brown sport-utility vehicle.

Kamara, who was married and the father of three teenage daughters, was killed in what police said they suspect was an attempt to rob him. It was the 193rd homicide in the city this year.

Yesterday, family members and friends gathered at his two-story colonial-style home on a rain-soaked cul-de-sac in Hyattsville. There were some wrapped presents on the floor and a Christmas wreath, but no holiday joy.

Two of his brothers spoke of Kamara's generosity to relatives and friends and to customers and residents around the 1100 block of Bladensburg Road, where he owned East Coast Auto for five years.

"He was just the best brother. He taught me how to be a man. He took care of me," said Mohammad Kamara, 33, who flew in from out of state after hearing about the shooting.

"He was loved by everybody. He never feared anybody."

His younger brother Abdul Kamara Jr., 25, who works at the lot, said: "He was my Michael Jordan. He showed me so much."

According to the brothers, Kamara had always loved cars. As a teenager, he bought a Ford Mustang. In time, he landed a dealer's license, but he had no lot, so he stored the cars wherever he could until they were sold.

"He always wanted a car lot," Mohammad Kamara said. "He knew cars."

Around the car lot, neighborhood children often came by looking for a place to hang out or make a buck, people said. They said Kamara would pay them to sweep up or wash cars.

He also urged them to do their homework, and he gave them cash for an exemplary report card. Sometimes, when a report card fell short, he would give the child $10 anyway and say, "You can do better next time," Abdul Kamara said.

Kamara was an outgoing guy and often invited people over to watch boxing matches on television or for a "seafood fest."

Among the great joys of his life, the brothers said, were his three teenage daughters, who visited him on weekends.

"They never went without," Mohammad Kamara said.

On Saturday, after attending the Redskins game, he planned to stop at the lot and then go to Atlantic City about 7:30 p.m. on a charter bus with friends, employees and family members. He was scheduled to return on Christmas to be with family and watch sports, the family said.

Lt. Robert Glover of the police department's violent crimes unit said detectives searched the area for clues yesterday morning. They were still seeking help from the public.

"Every homicide is tragic to somebody," Glover said. "But this is really difficult during the holiday."

A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. Anyone with information should call D.C. police at 202-727-4383.