Fulton police say its ‘missing one or two pieces’ in homicide investigation as family continues to plead for answers

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

Balloons, lit candles, songs and tears were the sight Wednesday night in Fulton, as community members of all ages packed into a church parking lot to honor Dominique Ford.

Ford, 27, of Fulton died after an October shooting.

According to an October social media post from the Fulton Police Department, police found Ford with life-threatening injuries in the 1400 block of Mokane Road on Oct. 25. Police later said Ford died from his injuries that day.

Nearly two months after his death, family members and friends are still left with two questions: Who and why?

"I hope that we find who did this to my grandson," Ford's grandfather Cecil Brandt told ABC 17 News. "I hope that one day... that we find them and we can bring them to justice, because my grandson did not deserve this."

Tacia Brandt, Ford's mother described him as the best friend, son and brother who would take the shirt off his back for anyone who needed help. She said he was the type of man who kept to himself, worked and played video games.

Brandt said her son was saving up to buy a Ford Mustang, something she hopes to buy for him in his honor. She said it's just one example of how he was a person who had dreams of wanting to do more, but had their life cut short.

"I want to know why...taking someone that was in their sleep? To me that is so coward of a person," Tacia Brandt said. "It's hard to wake up and he's not here. A large part of my heart is broken. There's no fixing it. It just stays broken."

Tacia Brandt said she and her family planned a vigil outside of the Guiding Light Church in Fulton Wednesday night over fears her son's case was growing cold. Brandt said police told her they stopped receiving as many tips related to the investigation, but she is hopeful the vigil will serve as a reminder for the justice her son deserves.

Fulton Police Chief Bill Ladwig told ABC 17 News on Wednesday night that police are missing one or two pieces of information he believes will help police piece together what happened.

Police released surveillance video of a person of interest in the investigation in November. Ladwig said there was evidence of a forced entry.

An earlier December post from the department also includes a photo of a vehicle that is believed to be a Hyundai Tucson police say they believe is the suspect's vehicle.

According to Ladwig, the Hyundai is believed to be between the years of 2009 and 2024. While the investigation is still ongoing, Ladwig said there's evidence to lead police to believe the homicide was premeditated.

"The vehicle was seen in the parking lot  two or three nights beforehand.  So, we know that this was something that was planned out most likely," Ladwig said.

According to Ladwig, the City of Fulton agreed to provide funding for evidence in the case to be sent to Virginia.

Tacia and Cecil Brandt said they're hoping the suspect will come forward, or anyone with any information regarding what happened to their loved one. The two acknowledged nothing will ever bring Ford back, but demand justice and closure after his sudden death.

"Somebody knows I guarantee somebody knows who did this," Cecil Brandt said. "The guy that's done this he deserves to be put away."

A post from the Fulton Police Department states Callaway County Crime Stoppers raised its reward to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Ladwig said he encourages and urges people to use the anonymous tip line if they have any information.

"We can't find anybody that didn't like him and we want to get the word out because somebody knows something and we just want justice," Ladwig said.