In Houston, Texas, family members gathered on Saturday at the location where police allege a woman was fatally shot by her obsessive former boyfriend.
Jaynice Ferguson, 23, was reportedly shot at the Turtle Pointe apartments in southwest Houston on January 17. According to officers, she used her final moments to identify Algie Washington, 46, as her assailant.
In a tribute to Ferguson’s memory, loved ones lit candles and released balloons in shades of purple, blue, and white, chanting “Justice for Jaynice.”
Raymond Pipkin, Ferguson’s brother-in-law and family pastor, reflected, “These balloons carry the weight of our pain and sorrow, just as we are filled with it.”
Ferguson’s family recounted her tumultuous relationship with Washington to Eyewitness News, detailing their breakup in 2020 and the subsequent three years of alleged harassment and stalking.
Despite multiple assault charges and a protective order, Washington’s alleged pursuit culminated in Ferguson’s tragic death.
Michelle Williams, Ferguson’s sister, lamented, “She hadn’t even begun to live her life. At only 23, full of vitality, a coward snatched it all away.”
Elise Williams, another sister of Ferguson, reminisced tearfully about missing her sibling’s presence and cherished moments together.
The grief was palpable, affecting family members of all ages, including Ferguson’s 11-year-old nephew, Christian, who witnessed his mother’s anguish.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Ferguson’s family expressed frustration over what they perceive as a lack of intervention to safeguard her from Washington, given his well-documented history with Ferguson.
Michelle emphasized, “If they had taken it seriously, I believe she would still be with us today.”
Washington is currently held on a $1 million bond as the investigation continues.
