In the quiet of Excelsior Township, Michigan, the life of 63-year-old James 'Jim' Harley Webber Jr. came to a tragic and violent end on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. A man known for his kindness and positive spirit, Jim was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed a simple life filled with love for his family, his farm, and his country. A veteran of the U.S.
Navy who served as a submariner, he was known as someone who could fix nearly anything and was always ready to lend a helping hand to friends, neighbors, and even strangers.
The events that unfolded on that November day shattered the peace of the community. Jim Webber and his daughter, 42-year-old Tiffany Anne Ferguson, were fatally shot. The horror of the incident was compounded by the fact that Tiffany's own children witnessed the shootings. They bravely ran from their grandfather's home to a neighbor's house to report that their father had shot their mother and grandfather. The neighbor, a Kalkaska County sheriff's deputy, immediately called 911.
The suspect was identified as Jim's son-in-law, 40-year-old Keith A. Ferguson. Court records indicated that Tiffany Ferguson had filed for divorce from her husband just a couple of months prior in September, with a hearing scheduled for the same week as the murders. After the shootings, Keith Ferguson fled the scene and barricaded himself in a home in Orange Township, taking a hostage who was apparently chosen at random. He engaged in a seven-hour standoff with police, during which he called 911 and threatened to shoot any responding officers.
Ultimately, Ferguson surrendered to authorities and released the unharmed hostage. He was subsequently arrested and faced multiple charges, including open murder, firearms violations, home invasion, and kidnapping. A judge set his bond at $10 million. The community was left to mourn the loss of Jim Webber, a man remembered for his laughter and his generous spirit, and his daughter Tiffany, an involved mother who was active in her community.
