Security Gunned Down outside Club

Security Gunned down outside night club. Chatters comment.
Submitted by: Tura
Aug 30 '07

A DAY on the job turns deadly for 43 year old Huel Ferguson, 43, a part-time security supervisor at Cocktails and Dreams. He was gunned down in front of the club on West Bay Street shortly after 2am yesterday when he refused four men entry to the club's parking lot.

According to reports, Mr Ferguson received the fatal gunshot wound at the hands of one gunman who escaped in a van, along with three other men.

After responding to the calls, police officers reportedly chased this vehicle until it arrived near Arawak Cay when two men got out of the van and started running. Foot pursuit of the criminals proved unsuccessful. However, guns were reportedly found on the scene.

In the wake of this tragic incident, club-goers are voicing their opinion on how young people in the Bahamas seem to be making a simple night out on the town an extreme risk to take. Wednesday night at cocktails attracts an assortment of characters, many of whom are only to have fun. Unfortunately, men like the ones who commited this crime, cast a negative shadow on the entire Bahamian nightlife scene.

Frequent chatter “Beazy” said that while violence at the club is nothing new, it is unfortunate that a father of 4 had to be the victim of a senseless crime.

“Cocktails ain’t classy, and it’s a breeding ground for gangsters. You could even say that Cocktails is like prison but you can just move freely. If you have a vibe with a [dude] the best place to catch him is in cocktails,” he said.

Concerning the conditions of Wednesday’s crime, Beazy said that in general Bahamian people, but especially Bahamian men, are far too petty. “They don’t know how to take care of things the manly way. Check out fish fry, how many people do you see out there on Sundays? You could count them on ya’ hand. They afraid of being shot,” he added.

Story Continues below Chat ad.....

When contemplating a night out on the town means setting yourself up for the risk of being shot, the Bahamas really has to think about the image it is sending.

Mr Ferguson was remembered as a very ambitious, hardworking employee. He is survived by his wife, and four young children.

The police apparently have two men in custody assisting with their investigation.

Have you had any experience with violence in a club? What are your views on the issue? Comment below:

Comments

Add New

Search

Leesugar - My 2 Cents

Registered | 2007-08-30 23:31:13

This is truly terrible, when I did my clubing back in the day to waterloo and the other one out west across from the beach things was good. Don't get me wrong there was violence, but not like now. It's like the present club goer is different now...not looking to have a good time, but to show off and act like their head is not screwed on properly. Man... I really don't know how I will be when I return to nassau, because it's been quite a while since I was home. But, from reading the guardian and getting involve in the forums I see that things are really going down hill for the Bahamas. I really think it will take all of our efforts to put a cessation on this situation even if it means snitching; because in the long run all the violence is going to put our economy in a quagmire and we will all suffer....so think about our kids and grandchildren future.

peasnrice - Dont blame nassau

Registered | 2007-08-31 19:46:20

Hi Lee Sugar, you cant blame Nassau, just some of these stupid people who want to resort to violence for every little thing. Why are the dumbest people the most proud?

Anyways Lee, you should return to the Bahamas so you can make a difference in someone's lives. Maybe with you coming back, creating jobs or giving friendly advice will prevent an act of violence by helping someone see a an alternate way.

Princess_242 - This is ridiculous.

Registered | 2007-08-31 00:25:00

First let me start by saying my condolences to his family.

Second,It never ceases to amaze me how stupid people can be. Because you couldnt park where you wanted to park you gone kill someone?!! Its incredulous the way such simple things are escalating into much larger issues. Now not only can they not park where they want to but the police have their vehicle confiscated. I know they hiding somewhere thinking "muddoes dat was dumb". Tourist arent only going to look at us as a violent nation they are going to look at us as a stupid one. That should be on dumb criminals. Like that man who call to report that his drugs had been stolen. Can I say it one more time? Dumb.

Ocean13 - Viciousness

Registered | 2007-08-31 11:31:01

I can say with all surety that we have turned the corner when it comes to vicious and animalistic behaviour. Apparently the slightest of affront or perceived 'diss' leads to death. This is in contrast to just a few years ago when persons would hash out their perceived 'diss' or differences with a good old fashioned cuss out or telling the other person about their 'mar'whom they probably never met. With the only fear or threat being stabbing/ jucking. I honestly wonder if these young persons who commit murder know that death is ultimate and final, meaning, there aint no coming back. The only ting that I can come up to explain this sort of thinking is that we have a society of programmed killers. Young ppl who kill for the sake of killing. Wow, imagine that mindset in a tourist economy.

Ocean13 - Victim's Rights

Registered | 2007-08-31 11:41:06

My condelensces go out to all those who are victims of senseless acts of violence. I firmly believe that prison or the fear of imprisonment is not a deterent to crime. That is why I am puttin out the concept of civil suit for wrongful death, or for damages whether physical or psychological to victims of crime. If young persons insist on being murderers, and the penal system doesnt provide the punitive strength to deter these persons, then I say let them pay out their pocketbooks, or their parents pocketbooks. For eg, a person who willingfully kills another should be open to civit suit and made to pay restitution of an 'adequate amount< noeworthy, OJ Simpson and his $10mill suit, to the relatives specifically the kids left behind and the spouse. The judgement levied should extend to the parents in the case of a minor, and be perpetual until settled. So, if they are so amoral and vicious, then let them pay the financial price. Im sure they would think twice.

Leesugar - I say no to holding parents re

Registered | 2007-08-31 18:31:49

While yes would seem the logical answer, I must say "No," with some qualifications. First of all, why are some minors criminals? They might have wonderful, God-fearing, law abiding, caring and compassionate parents who have raised them well, but other factors have run interference.
For instance, sometimes sexual abuse and criminality is linked. What if, in the case of a great two-parent home, a minor son has been sexually abused to the point where he wants to psychologically burst, and decides to act out in order to facilitate a radical change or even a revenge? What if this truth cannot come out?
Sometimes poverty and criminality has been linked, as has the "single parent" phenomenon. I do not feel any of these factors are excuses, but who am I to judge how other people cope or do not cope? If we hold poverty stricken single parents accountable, then we would have to go after our governments who set the minimum wage, and the absent ex husbands and ex wives that are perpetuating crime by virtue of their absences(?).
I used to feel it would be a wise response to hold parents responsible, simply because there are also quite a few irresponsible, violent parents who sometimes raise irresponsible, violent, criminal minors, too. Because most incidences in life are not as simplistic as they appear, it is always relevant to gather all the information about as many preceding events as possible, particular when dealing with minors. The influence we have can be powerful in a positive, or negative, way, and I would certainly rather impact them positively for the future, even if I have to challenge criminal activity in the process. To this end, I reiterate it is crucial to look into preceding events and patterns, and even find out whether the minor has experienced healthy consequences for his behavior before this time, and if not, why not? That can make it easier to understand how to hold him/her responsible in a way that truly impacts, challenges, and matures him/her, rather than his/her parents, who will be a whole lot more difficult to influence at their stage.
I feel if we are to hold parents responsible, then we must also hold professionals accountable when they are fully aware a potentially ill and violent criminal is released into the public domain, only to take 32 lives, for example. We will have to hold pastors or priests accountable after terrorizing young boys in their congregations, only to have these boys grow into depressed, angry, or perhaps abusive husbands and fathers. I wonder why! Should they be in jail? I guess we hold them accountable via financial settlements (instead of jail time), but that probably does not always satisfy victims (understandably!) so we would have to hold community forums, then consider this question with great clarity and a lot of input before answering it and then implementing some responses we might later regret.

Islandbuoy13 - SAD

Registered | 2007-09-01 04:15:31

Admin - Its not only the government

Super Administrator | 2007-09-01 07:49:42

Islandbuoy, you can't just sit back and wait for the government to take care of the situation.

Its up to us as Bahamians to take a stand, and it begins with our family members. There is someone's son out there who is doing this foolishness.

Leesugar

Registered | 2007-09-01 11:59:32

Peansrice thanks for the vote of confidence, it took me a long time to get to this stage of conscious thought. I agree with admin that we cannot sit and wait for the government to take care of the situation, when the majority of the crimes have been created right in out living rooms......by our own kids. What we really need is a social commitment....a national recognition that it is not just up to the Government to take responsibility for the state of our nation, it is up to all of us.Strengthening families, strengthening communities, changing culture is the hardest, the most long-term and sometimes the most intangible but it is so much the most important. So today I say that we should ask not just what we expect from our Government in response to these dreadful crimes - but what do we expect from ourselves and from society? We must all be accountable.To me this is what social responsibility is all about. Not just sitting back and saying that the Government must act, but all of us saying: this is my country, my society, my responsibility-and I must play my part. It means schools playing their part in instilling discipline and good values. It means all of us recognising our obligations not just as parents but as neighbours, as members of a community and understanding that those obligations are as important as simply going to work and obeying the law.It means understanding and acting on that age-old maxim that it takes a village to raise a child.It is time for us to recognise that we cannot go on as we are. Just as there is nothing inevitable about economic decline,there is nothing inevitable about social decline.What is required is simply asking how many more parents have to bury their children before we decide to choose a different path for our society.

Princess_242 - Things have got to change

Registered | 2007-09-01 13:29:34

We can hash out millions of solutions and blame everyone in sight but until parents become more proactive we are always going to have this problem.

To many mothers tryin to be their childrens friend. You and ya child in the club. Or you have so many kids you cant keep track of them all. Parents need to be the judge and jury for their children because when they take a life its many other lives that are affected. When they steal that first toy, when they slam dat first door, when they disobey you that first time, when they go out without telling you, when they break curfew those are the times you freak da hell out. Do not wait until the police calling you or parents threatening you or other kids threatening your child to start freakin out. My son cant even go next door without my consent.

Case in point my son is what most would call a mannerly, respectful child. As far as they are concerned he is not trouble at all. People does call me lookin for him to take him out and invite him to events. However last night this same child told me he dont feel like going to the car when I sent him to retrieve my cell phone. I was shocked cause he has never said that to me. At first I didnt even know what to do but I quickly recovered and told him he has to options. Either he go:

1. get it and apologize to me or he

2. get beating, go and get it and apologize to me.

He stood there as if I couldnt be talking to him. Well I got up and tear up his butt. Then he proceeds to go into my mommy room, as if I cant beat him in there. I jump on his little behind and put one cutass on him so bad he was vomitting where he cry so hard. Then I made him apologize to me and mommy for waking her up then he had to go for my cell phone. I didnt have to mark up his body or do any abusive things that some parents do. A good old fashion tan up is all it takes.

Now some would say I overreacted cause it was just a cell phone. However, anyway with sense knows that act of defiance was a turning point for us. I could have ignored it and he would think he in charge. I am not raising a criminal or someone who doesnt respect authority. As difficult as it is for a single mother I am raising a man. Many have done it successfully before me and failure is not an option. I love my child 2 much to let him walk his way right into the grave or fox hill prison.

I'm not saying that he is going to be perfect and that he will never make mistakes. What I'm saying is I am ready for him. I am going to print this and staple it to his room door so everyday he walking out he can see this and know that I am ready for his ass and if all fails I AM NOT VISITING NOONE IN FOX HILL PRISON.

(LOVE YOU RELLY - SEPTEMBER 2007)

PRINCESS AKA MOM

romer - Its very sad

Registered | 2007-09-21 13:34:57

I am currently living in florida.and I'm home sick and i will be moving back home. while crime is on the rise It is very sad

romer - very sad contd

Registered | 2007-09-21 13:39:27

to see some losing there life for something petty as a parking spot.
what is my home comming to ? Please my people violance is truely not the way.I'm always bragging about my home.and this is what I'm bragging about ?

FORYOUSWEET691 - THIS IS VERY SAD

Registered | 2007-10-19 20:29:56

I AM SORRY FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO REGARDS FOR HUMAN LIFE.BECAUSE GOD MADE US ALL WE ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE.SO WE HAVE TO WORSHIP HIM AND ENJOY LIFE WHILE WE CAN

FORYOUSWEET691 - GOD,S PEOPLE

Registered | 2007-10-19 20:34:57

WE HAVE TO HELP ONE ANOTHER AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Only registered users can write comments!