A single swing of a hatchet has shattered two decades of peace in Lafayette, an upscale East Bay community better known for its farmers’ market and top-scoring schools than violent crime. On the morning of March 21, a 911 caller reported an armed intruder in the backyard of a hillside home. Within minutes, police discovered 34-year-old Christopher Jaber dead inside a detached studio apartment and arrested 35-year-old David Swank Prince just yards away. Prosecutors now allege the killing was deliberate, pre-meditated, and carried out with a weapon more commonly seen in horror films than suburban backyards.
A Town That Had Forgotten What Murder Looks Like
Lafayette, population 25,000, sits 20 miles east of San Francisco and prides itself on a Mayberry-like atmosphere. The last homicide occurred in 2005, when a domestic dispute turned fatal. Since then, the city’s biggest safety scare has been the occasional car break-in. Neighbors leave doors unlocked, kids walk to Stanley Middle School unescorted, and the local crime log is usually dominated by reports of stolen Amazon packages.
That sense of security vanished the moment homicide detectives unfurled yellow tape across the winding driveway on Reliez Valley Road. “People move here specifically because nothing bad ever happens,” said longtime resident Maria Alvarez, who brought flowers to a makeshift memorial. “Now we’re the town with the hatchet murder.” Property records show the single-family lot where Jaber died is valued at $2.7 million; the accessory dwelling unit he rented sits behind a gated fence and manicured oaks. In other words, the crime not only ended a life—it punctured the illusion that money and geography can buy safety.
Digital Threats and a Deadly Morning
According to the Contra Costa County District Attorney, the tragedy was set in motion long before Prince allegedly scaled the fence. A Facebook post authored in February and still visible at the time of arrest singles out Jaber by name, vowing revenge for an unspecified grievance. Detectives have not detailed the nature of the feud, but they describe the homicide as “targeted,” not random. A hatchet, typically associated with camping or chopping firewood, became the instrument of death. Prosecutors added a weapon-enhancement charge that could add years to any eventual sentence.
The timeline pieced together by investigators shows chilling efficiency:
- 11:28 a.m.—A relative inside the main house spots a masked figure on the property and dials 911.
- 11:32 a.m.—The first patrol car arrives; officers hear no signs of struggle because Jaber is already dead.
- 11:35 a.m.—Police locate Prince walking casually on Reliez Valley Road, hatchet allegedly in hand.
- 11:40 a.m.—Prince is detained without incident; the murder weapon is seized as evidence.
Because Lafayette contracts police services from the county, seasoned homicide detectives were on scene within the hour—experience they rarely get to deploy at home. “We train for this, but we never expect to use it here,” Lieutenant Zachary Pytel told reporters.
From Quiet Streets to National Headlines
Within 24 hours, satellite trucks lined Mt. Diablo Boulevard, and the story trended on social media under the hashtag #LafayetteHatchet. Local merchants reported a drop in foot traffic as residents stayed indoors, some openly questioning whether to install security systems for the first time. School officials sent robocalls reassuring parents that campuses were safe, while the city council scheduled a special meeting to address public safety concerns.
Meanwhile, court documents reveal Prince has no prior felony convictions in Contra Costa County, though he was known to law enforcement. A source close to the investigation said Prince and Jaber had a “toxic” history that escalated after a business deal collapsed. Neither man had a protective order filed against the other, suggesting the conflict simmered outside the legal system—until it turned lethal.
If convicted, Prince faces 25 years to life for the murder charge, plus an additional term for the weapon enhancement. He is being held without bail and is scheduled to enter a plea next month. The DA’s office emphasized that the probe remains active, asking anyone with additional digital or physical evidence to come forward.
How a Community Regains Its Sense of Normal
Psychologists who study collective trauma say the hardest part for towns like Lafayette is the shattering of their narrative. “Residents don’t just grieve the victim; they grieve the loss of their identity as a safe place,” explained Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, a clinician specializing in community violence. City leaders have already announced a series of public forums and free counseling sessions at the Lafayette Library, while faith groups are organizing a candlelight vigil.
Practical steps are emerging as well. The police chief says patrols will remain elevated through the end of the school year, and the department is fast-tracking a program to register home-security cameras so residents can share footage quickly. Whether these measures restore peace of mind—or merely remind everyone of why they’re needed—remains to be seen.
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