Final arrangements have been set for J.D. Ferguson, the security guard killed Sunday night at a Gwinnett County Wal-Mart store.
A celebration of life service will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at Eternal Hills Funeral Home, located at 3594 Stone Mountain Highway in Snellville. Cards and flowers can be sent to that address or to P.O. Box 3071, Loganville, Ga., 30052, officials from Ferguson's church said.
Ferguson, a 25-year-old father of three, had worked as a loss prevention officer at the Wal-Mart on Lilburn's Lawrenceville Highway for about seven months before he was gunned down. Lilburn police believe 37-year-old Boaz Anthony Fordyce was attempting to leave the store with three TVs when Ferguson and another store employee attempted to stop him.
Fordyce shot Ferguson once, left the merchandise and fled in a sedan, police said.
Authorities quickly released grainy surveillance footage from the incident, and a tip naming Fordyce as the shooter was submitted to Crime Stoppers Atlanta on Monday morning. Warrants charging Fordyce with murder were issued around 1 a.m. Tuesday, and he was apprehended at a DeKalb County business about 12 hours later.
Why Fordyce -- who does not have a significant criminal history -- allegedly shot Ferguson has flummoxed authorities.
Loved ones have described Ferguson as "a selfless person who would do anything for anyone" and his family's sole provider. As of Thursday afternoon, a Go Fund Me account established to support the family had raised more than $24,500.
"The outpouring of love and support has truly overwhelmed JD's family," a new post on the page said. "We are so very appreciative of the condolences and kind words you have expressed to our family. They have truly been a blessing to read. We can't say thank you enough."
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