Tributes poured in for Colford Ferguson, the 29-year-old who was tragically gunned down on Friday afternoon.Friends of Mr Ferguson paid homage to the Warwick man, who was murdered in broad daylight when four gun shots were fired through Mangrove Bay in Somerset.Childhood friend Damen Mallory told The Royal Gazette: “I grew up with Colford in Cedar Park and I remember him as just wanting to have fun and enjoy life.“We was tight back in those days. Even though I’m in school in Canada I still felt the pain when I heard the news.”Eye witnesses said four gun shots were fired back-to-back at a house at the junction of Somerset Road and East Shore Road before 2pm.People working in the area didn’t understand what caused the noise and carried on with their normal activities, until thirty minutes later when they learnt someone had been shot.According to one eye witness, the victim was working construction at the house, which used to be a barber shop and grocery store.A Police spokesman said: “Mr Ferguson was a single man who lived in Warwick Parish, and leaves behind a four-year-old daughter to grieve his passing.“The Bermuda Police Service is closely assisting Mr Ferguson’s family to get through this difficult time. Our thoughts are with Mr Ferguson’s family and friends.”Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro will head an investigative team that is working to progress evidence in the case.In addition to interviewing witnesses and canvass the west end, officers are visiting local businesses, residences, and social spots to get information.“Increased resources will be deployed to the Somerset area, providing both an investigative and visible uniform presence.“The Bermuda Police Service is utilizing all available resources to gather the evidence with which to catch the killer of Mr Ferguson.”The Serious Crime Unit has also circulated a poster with a picture of the pink house where Mr Ferguson was shot.It asks anyone with information to contact them on 295-0011 or the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477.Bermudians took to public forums to allege officers took a long time to respond to the incident, which happened five minutes walking distance from Somerset Police Station.One person said: “I am also getting tired of hearing excuses for the police’s late arrivals.”A Police spokesman yesterday said they “were aware of the allegations made by some members of the public regarding police responding to the scene and this will be addressed at [today’s] press conference”.Other friends who wrote on their Facebook pages in Mr Ferguson’s honour described him as a “cool” and “funny” person.One man wrote: “It’s a sad loss brah. He was a cool [and] funny dude. I met him at Cedarbridge. Real cool dude. Had me rollin on the floor at times. Just pray ya boys in good hands now!”A friend wrote: “R.I.P Colford... We n***as have taken life for granted [throughout] our lives.“Not really thinking today might be d last time we see or have a convo with our family, real n***as n friends yo. S**t’s sad but I remember d last time I saw dat n***a he gave me a big a** hug [and] s**t ... that was him every time I saw [him] full of life n luv..”Another said: “[You] will always [be] remembered... Always in my heart! Tears won’t stop! RIP!”Mr Ferguson’s death marked the first shooting fatality of the year.The last person to lose their life to gun violence was Raymond Troy “Yankee” Rawlins who was killed at the Spinning Wheel Nightclub on Court Street in Pembroke last August.Pastor Leroy Bean, founder of anti-gang group CARTEL, said the quiet period had created a false sense of peace in the community.“Things have been taking place but not to that magnitude. I think it was only something that was brewing behind the scenes.” he said.According to Pastor Bean, the police have “stepped up their game” and the public was co-operating more, therefore those involved with anti-social behaviour have had to “be more strategic and plan” what they do.“I do believe and I emphasize this here the Bermuda police department and the court system have their part, but until Government steps to the wicket and starts a three-pronged approach... we are going to start seeing them younger and younger joining the gangs.”Pastor Bean said therapeutic programmes were needed in the community, including prevention, intervention and therapy services for young men that are possible candidates for joining a gang.He applauded Government’s efforts to reduce the Island’s debt, but said: “It could be a disaster along the road if there is a cut back in the wrong department.”“I believe it is important for the community to continue to do their part and also where they see the need of a young man or woman who needs help to contact the relative agency to get them help so it doesn’t escalate to become a travesty to Bermuda.”For more information on prevention and intervention services contact the CARTEL group on 734-7972 or email c.a.r.t.e.l[AT]northrock.bm.