On an evening in late August of 2019, tragedy struck in North Minneapolis at the intersection of 21st and Aldrich Avenues. KyReon Watkins, a 23-year-old Black/African American male, was with a group of about 20 men on a sidewalk. The night took a fatal turn when a verbal altercation broke out between one of the men and another individual, Michael Ferguson.
Following the dispute, Ferguson, a 26-year-old from Brooklyn Park, walked away and got into the passenger side of a nearby car.
From the vehicle, he brandished a gun and fired multiple shots into the crowd. Amid the chaos, Watkins was struck by a bullet on the right side of his head. He was rushed to North Memorial Hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The incident marked the 25th homicide in Minneapolis for that year. For Watkins' family, the pain was compounded as his death tragically occurred on the two-year anniversary of his brother's passing. Watkins himself was a father to infant twins.
The investigation into the shooting quickly identified Michael Ferguson as the primary suspect, aided by witness statements and surveillance footage that captured the entire event. After the shooting, Ferguson fled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but was apprehended on September 3, 2019, and extradited back to Minneapolis. During questioning, he initially denied any involvement. However, when investigators revealed that KyReon Watkins, a man he called his "homie," was the victim, Ferguson confessed to his role in the shooting and admitted to fleeing the state after learning someone had died.
Michael Ferguson was charged with second-degree murder. After a three-day jury trial, he was found guilty on December 17, 2020. Due to his prior criminal history, sentencing guidelines suggested a lengthy prison term. The area where the shooting occurred was known for gang activity, and though a specific motive was not detailed in the complaint, the incident was believed to be gang-related.
