MPD officer accused in killing
Report: Victim forced into squad car, shot
A Memphis Police Department officer is accused of using a squad car to carry out an on-duty kidnapping and killing.
The police department released a statement on Twitter Sunday morning about the incident, and said that Patric Ferguson, the police officer, had kidnapped 30-year-old victim Robert Howard from a home in Frayser, forced him into a squad car, and drove him to another location where he shot and killed him.
The statement says the victim knew the police officer.
The statement also says a second man, 28-year-old Joshua Rogers, helped Ferguson move the victim’s body after he was killed.
The victim’s girlfriend reported him missing about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
He was last seen about 5 p.m. the previous day on Mark Twain Street, which is near Overton Crossing in Frayser.
Officers were told the girlfriend used a cellphone app to track her boyfriend’s cell phone and found it near Lamar Avenue and Shelby Drive, but did not find the victim, the statement says.
The police department’s missing persons and homicide bureaus began working on the case, and discovered the police officer’s role, the statement says.
“After a review of the evidence in this case, it was found that Ferguson, acting on his own accord, armed himself with his personal handgun, encountered the victim outside the residence, and forced the victim in the rear of a squad car. Ferguson then drove to the area of Frayser Boulevard and Denver Street, where he shot and killed Mr. Howard.”
The home and the site of the shooting are less than half a mile apart.
The motive for the homicide wasn’t immediately clear.
It was not clear from the statement where Howard’s body was later moved to, or exactly what was done to it.
However, an arrest affidavit offers more details.
It says the investigation and the statements of the victim’s girlfriend led officers to identify Ferguson as a suspect.
“Ferguson’s search history in his cell phone revealed multiple incriminating Internet searches related to cleaning up crime scenes and how to destroy DNA evidence,” the affidavit says.
“Evidence was obtained showing Ferguson purchased cinder blocks, chains and padlocks at a hardware store which investigators later found were used by Ferguson to hide evidence.”
“Additionally, surveillance video was obtained by investigators which captured the shooting of the victim while Ferguson was on-duty.”
The arrest affidavit says Ferguson gave up his Miranda rights to remain silent and told investigators that he went to the victim’s home, encountered him outside, and forced him into the back of the vehicle.
“Ferguson then drove to a nearby location where he shot the victim while in the back of the patrol car,” the affidavit says.
“Ferguson then drove to a nearby location where deposited the victim before later coming back to move the body.” He also confessed to recruiting a friend to help move the body.
The affidavit says Rogers likewise gave up his Miranda rights and admitted to helping Ferguson move the body “from the first location to Rogers’ residence.”
“Rogers stated he and Ferguson then wrapped the victim’s body before taking him to another location.” (That location isn’t included in the affidavit.)
“Rogers stated he then took his vehicle used to transport the victim and sold it at a scrap yard.”
Ferguson had worked for MPD since October 2018 and was assigned to Tillman Station, the statement says.
He faces charges including first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, abuse of a corpse and fabricating and tampering with evidence.
Rogers faces charges including accessory after the fact, abuse of a course and fabricating and tampering with evidence.
Both men have court hearings Monday.
Memphis Police Department Director Michael Rallings condemned the killing.
“No one is above the law,” he said in the statement.
“Knowing that a Memphis Police Officer, someone who took an oath to protect and serve, made the decision to commit this horrific crime is devastating. His actions were not that of a law enforcement officer and should not reflect on fellow officers.”
“Our investigators responded swiftly and did an outstanding job by identifying the suspect responsible.
“This is an example of the professionalism and dedication that is displayed daily. Regardless of who you are, our investigators will conduct a thorough investigation and will seek justice for all victims.”