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Candlelight vigil for two victims of unsolved murders

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Rudy Smith was last seen on July 9, 2012. Police are treating his disappearance as murder.

The families of two murder victims will join hands at a candlelight vigil next week, to be held on the July 24 birthday of Rudy Smith.Relatives of Mr Smith and murder victim Colford Ferguson are calling on the Bermuda public to show their support by attending the event. Both murder cases remain unsolved.Mr Smith was last seen in Pembroke on July 9, 2012. One month after his disappearance police announced the case was being treated as a murder investigation.His cousin Shakira Caines said the vigil “is a way of getting everybody together to honour Rudy’s memory and let people know he still has family who want to know what happened”.“I think I was more angry that no one came forward and said anything. I’ve had to let that go which was a real struggle.“I had to pray about and ask God to heal me because I was mad and very upset that there’s people out there who are that wicked,” said Ms Caines.“I just wonder about it all the time, we’ve heard the rumours but we still don’t know how true they are. I know my cousin’s not going to come back and that makes me sad, especially with no closure.”Meanwhile founder and organiser of Colford’s Family Against Violence, Keona Smith said her cousin’s murder remains unsolved and the vigil is a way to keep his memory alive.“I don’t want Bermuda to forget about him and I would like to see justice served for all of Bermuda’s unsolved murders,” she said.“These people need to know the Lord doesn't sleep, and someday they will have to answer to him. So eventually justice will be served.”Mr Ferguson, 29, was gunned down in broad daylight while working at a construction site on East Shore Road in Somerset Village on February 4, 2011.Police believe his murder was a case of mistaken identity.His workmate, who reportedly had concerns about travelling to Somerset, had left the site to run an errand, leaving Mr Ferguson alone at the property.A lone gunman emerged from the bushes to the east of the building and opened fire. Mr Ferguson was declared dead at the scene.The victim died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds inflicted by the same 9mm semi-automatic gun used to kill Dekimo (Purple) Martin in May 2010.Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro stated that police have not been able to establish a motive for the shooting.The murder was committed at the height of what police described as a deadly feud between rival gangs. According to police, the murder weapon has been used repeatedly.The same gun that killed Mr Ferguson was used in the attempted murder of Randy Lightbourne on July 23, 2010, and two other firearm incidents in March that same year.A police detective who testified in the Supreme Court trial of Mr Martin’s killer told the jury that the weapon belonged to MOB and was shared between members.Detective Constable Vernel Burgess also said the weapon has not been recovered by police.Five men were arrested for conspiracy to murder and murder Mr Ferguson. All the suspects were bailed pending further inquiries. No one was ever charged.Police continue the appeal for information on both cases.Anyone who is able to assist is urged to call the Serious Crime Unit at 247-1739 or the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477.The candle light vigil will be held at Evening Light Church in the Parking lot on Parson’s Road at 8.30pm next Wednesday.There will be number of speakers and music provided by Star Lyfe, the sound founded by murder victim Haile ‘Star Child’ Outerbridge and Jimmy Tunes.

Colford Ferguson with his daughter Ny'Ashia. Mr Ferguson was shot dead as he worked at a construction site in 2011.