Two Men Killed in Ladyville, Police Suspect Drug Conflict

There’s growing alarm tonight in the Ladyville and Lord’s Bank communities, where a spike in violent crime has the community on edge. Just last week, residents were shaken by the murder of BWS security guard Darwin Valerio, who was ambushed and gunned down while on duty. And now, heartbreak has struck again. Two more families are grieving tonight after close friends Shakeem Ferguson and Elroy Bainton were killed in separate, but believed to be connected, shootings. Ferguson was walking home along Joe Lewis Street when he was targeted and shot. Just minutes later, more gunfire rang out on Yellowtail Street, claiming Bainton’s life. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Down at the end of Joe Lewis Street, there’s an empty chair that says more than words ever could. It’s the spot where twenty‑six‑year‑old Shakeem Ferguson sat every day, often with his one‑year‑old daughter by his side. Today, that chair is a painful reminder of a life cut short. Ferguson was gunned down on Sunday, the first of two friends to be killed within minutes of each other in the same Ladyville neighborhood. Just a few streets away, twenty‑nine‑year‑old Elroy Bainton, someone Ferguson was close to, was also shot and killed shortly after. Two friends. Two shootings. Moments apart. And a community now left with more questions than answers.

 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Head, National Crime Investigation Branch

“On Sunday, around five thirty-two p.m. Ladyville Police responded to a shooting incident at Joe Lewis Road. Upon the arrival, they saw the lifeless matter from male person identified as Shakeem Ferguson, and he had multiple gunshot injuries. Information is that, Ferguson went to his house after going to the store and he was approached by another person who was in the vehicle who fired several shots towards his direction causing his fatal injuries. We are seeking two suspects and a vehicle in regards to this murder. this murder.”

 

 

Ferguson and Bainton had been socializing prior to their murders, and both were killed near their homes. Police suspect the men were targeted and trailed after they had been socializing, according to ACP Hilberto Romero.

 

 

ACP Hilberto Romero

“Shortly thereafter around approximately thirteen minutes later, Ladyville police responded to another shooting and receive information at a male person had been shot at Yellowtail Street. He was identified as Elroy Bainton and he was taken to KHMH for treatment. Shortly thereafter, he succumbed his injuries, information that Bainton was at that street when a person came and failed several shots causing his fatal injuries.”

 

 

 

His family says Ferguson was shot several times in the back. His sister, who spoke to us anonymously, recalled the moment she was told that her brother had been shot.

 

Voice of: Sister of Deceased

“When I get the news yesterday, about five thirty, I was sleeping and my niece from here hail me and ask me that ney kill my breda? She said hurry up hurry up, because heard sha So when I reached by the scene, Shakeem was already dead.”

 

 

 

Ferguson’s family says they have no idea why he was singled out, but tonight, investigators believe the attack may have been tied to drug activity.

 

Voice of: Sister of Deceased

“I noh  see my brother as like a gang person fi she di hang pan di street and things like that. He always de through this alley di relax and like just drink with these girls by the shop and thing like that. So I wouldn’t say who woulda want hurt my lee breda.”

 

 

 

 

Back in 2024, Ferguson and his girlfriend, Kelly Sanchez, were jointly charged with drug possession after thirteen grams of cocaine were found in their home. Police say Bainton had previous domestic assault charges, though the case was later withdrawn by the complainant.

 

 

 

ACP Hilberto Romero

“It is drug related and they’re affiliated with a group in Ladyville.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Is it that it’s some sort of turf war or an internal dispute of sorts?”

 

 

 

 

ACP Hilberto Romero

“The information we have, it is an internal issue they’re having.”

 

Police say there’s no indication that this latest shooting is connected to last week’s murder of Darwin Valerio in Lord’s Bank. But even without a direct link, the spike in violence has residents on edge, and many in the community say they’re more alert, and more worried, than ever. Ferguson’s sister says she never anticipated such violence in her own neighborhood.

 

 

 

Voice of: Sister of Deceased

“We heard gunshot outta Ladyville and the police rush pan the scene and gone out there. And when they come back they tell ywe that they shot somebody else and when we get the information, it was Bainton who is his friend. For the thirty-six years I lived through ya soh, I never expect something like this. His da like was shock to me.”

 

After the shooting, the attackers took off in a vehicle. Police are now reviewing surveillance footage and looking for two suspects. Britney Gordon for News Five.