A 27-year-old Black man was killed while on his way home from work in late August, and authorities cite his race as the reason behind the shooting.
According to KTLA5, the suspect, Daniel Martinez, is accused of targeting African-Americans. If convicted, he could face life in prison or the death penalty.
While Ferguson’s family is glad Martinez is in custody, they are still reeling from the loss of their loved ones.
NBC4 reports Ferguson's mother recently died following heart complications triggered after seeing Martinez in court.
"Just because he's caught, it doesn't lessen the pain," Ferguson’s sister, Donna Cunningham, said. "The pain is still there, but it's good to know that he's being brought to justice."
Ferguson's August 20 death draws further attention to the disheartening reality that Black people are victimized by hate crimes more than any other group.
Martinez is also accused of killing another Black man, Alhmond Davis, just days later, KTLA5 reports.
“Knowing that somebody's shooting people for no reason at all, based after race, just doesn't sit well with me,” said Ferguson's brother, Byron.
“I can't even wrap my mind around what he must have felt like knowing someone was chasing him, firing several rounds at his car just because of the color of his skin,” added Cunningham.
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