Case Eight: Colford Ferguson
Age: 29Gang affiliation: Police have said they don’t consider Mr Ferguson to have been a gang member but the crime had “elements of a gang shooting” and happened in an area considered to be the territory of the West-end MOB (Money Over Bitches) gang.Date of murder: Friday, February 4, 2011.Time: 2.05pm.Location: 2 East Shore Road, a house at the junction of Somerset Road.What happened: Mr Ferguson was doing construction work with a male colleague at 2 East Shore Road. His workmate left to run an errand, leaving him alone at the property. A lone gunman came onto the premises via some vegetation to the East of the building and opened fire on Mr Ferguson, who was inside the house, before fleeing. Several 911 calls were made at 2.08pm about gunshots heard in Somerset. People in the village went to the property and found Mr Ferguson in a non-responsive state. He had been gunned down and was declared dead at the scene by a doctor.Victim died from: Multiple gunshot wounds.Other casualties: NoneWeapon: The 9mm semi-automatic pistol gun used to kill Dekimo (Purple) Martin in May 2010 has been linked to Mr Ferguson’s murder, as well as the attempted murder of Randy Lightbourne on July 23, 2010; and two other firearm incidents on March 16 and March 21, 2010, where no-one was shot. Detective Constable Vernel Burgess told Supreme Court during the trial of Mr Martin’s killer that the weapon belonged to MOB and was shared between members. It has not been recovered by police.Description of suspect: A light-skinned male on a dark motorcycle wearing a black full-face helmet was seen riding suspiciously in the area between 1pm and 2pm. The same man was seen walking down the side of the house shortly before gunfire was heard.Alleged motive: Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro said: “We have not been able to establish a motive for the shooting.” He revealed that Mr Ferguson’s workmate “had some concerns about travelling into Somerset” and that the victim may have been mistaken for someone else. The gun used to kill Mr Ferguson has been used repeatedly against non-MOB members in Sandys. MOB is said by police to be engaged in a deadly feud with rival gangs and anyone believed to be an enemy. It has an alliance with Pembroke gang 42.Retaliatory attacks: Police say they are not aware of any.Arrests: Five men were arrested for conspiracy to murder and murder. All were bailed pending further inquiries.Witness appeal: Police are focused on identifying the light-skinned male seen riding his bike back and forth along Somerset Road and East Shore Road and seen walking down the side of 2 East Shore Road. Anyone with information about him is urged to come forward.Detectives also want to speak to a man dressed in black or dark clothing who was standing in the bus lay-by opposite the scene of the shooting. The man was seen to dive behind a wall when the shooting took place.The appeal for witnesses who saw any suspicious activity in Somerset village on the afternoon of February 4 or saw the victim or any of his associates that same day is ongoing. A poster released after the murder asked locals to come forward if they saw anyone enter or leave from 2 East Shore Road that afternoon.Police said immediately after the killing they needed to speak to a person who captured a picture of the victim at the scene in a blood-drenched shirt as they “may have some very valuable information that the police may find useful”. They are still not certain who took the photograph but don’t believe it was the killer.Who to call: If you have any information that could help solve this murder contact the Serious Crime Unit on 247-1340 or the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477.