Family, police still searching for answers six months after Fulton homicide

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

Roughly six months ago, Dominique Ford died after being shot in his apartment building, but the search for the killer remains ongoing.

According to an October press release from police, Ford was found with life-threatening injuries in the 1400 block of Mokane Road on Oct. 25. Police later said Ford died from his injuries after being rushed to a hospital. He was 27.

The family of Ford gathered Monday night in Veterans Park for a vigil as they continue searching for justice.

"We just want people to talk," Ford's mother Tacia Brandt said. "His life was cut way too short. There's just no words to tell anybody. I can't say you understand because people just don't understand... So, I'm hopeful people understand I miss my son."

Brandt said even months after her son was killed, she and her family are still left with the question: "Why Dominique?"

She said Ford had a normal day, went home and went to bed -- where he was killed -- something the family believed to be unusual describing him as a quiet man who kept to himself.

After months, the family remains adamant that someone knows what happened, and sending a message to the killer that they will someday be caught.

"My biggest frustration right now is that nobody has come forward to tell us who did this. Somebody knows who did," Ford's grandfather Cecil Brandt said. "Maybe they're afraid because they figure well what happened to Dominique could happen them also but you know what, turn it around. What if it was their family?"

Family members and friends also gathered in December, where his mom and grandfather said they hoped people with information about what happened would come forward. Police said at the time that they were missing "one or two pieces" in the investigation.

Fulton Police Chief Bill Ladwig said at the time that the city also agreed to provide funding for evidence in the case to be sent to Virginia.

Ladwig told ABC 17 News on Monday that the investigation has moved forward some, but they're still missing a couple key pieces. He said police have not yet received anything back from Virginia, but said those things usually take time.

Ladwig, said the biggest thing the community can do to help at this point is come forward with information.

"We live in this "do not snitch culture" until it happens to them, or their family," Ladwig said. "We're not just going to put this thing in a filing cabinet. We're going to keep working on it until we have the answers."

Ladwig also told ABC 17 News in December that police had evidence to believe the homicide was premeditated. Ladwig also said there was evidence of a forced entry into Ford's building.

Police also released surveillance video of someone they called a person of interest.

A previous post from police also shows a photo of a vehicle that is believed to be a Hyundai Tucson between the model years of 2009-24. Police said they believe it is the suspect's vehicle.

Columbia's new administrator for the Office of Violence Prevention, D'Markus Thomas-Brown attended the vigil on Monday night in what he said was an attempt to expand the message of crime prevention and healing.

He said he plans to work with the City of Fulton to help spread that message and hold people accountable.

"We see violence travel from Fulton to Columbia, to Jeff City, Moberly and so even though we're working in Columbia, we know that violence and acts and those who are moving around don't really take to those bounds either so we appreciate the comradery and the collaboration," Thomas-Brown said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Fulton Police Department or Crimestoppers to remain anonynmous.