Federal court: Grover Ferguson sentenced to 50 years in prison

MILWAUKEE -- 18-year-old Grover Ferguson was sentenced in federal court on Thursday, December 3rd to 50 years in prison.

Ferguson was convicted of shooting a woman in the face during a carjacking in March. State charges against him dismissed after he pleaded guilty in federal court in August.

The victim in this case, 53-year-old Samone Spencer, talked with FOX6 News shortly after she was released from the hospital.

On March 22nd, shortly after 8:00 p.m., police were dispatched to the 2800 block of N. 50th Street to check on a stolen Dodge Caravan. While parked on scene, officers heard four or five gunshots and screaming that sounded close by. Officers then located 53-year-old Spencer -- bleeding from her face and mouth. She was taken to the hospital, where she was admitted for critical injury caused by three gunshot wounds to her face and body.

Samone Spencer

"I just threw my keys to him and -- 'boom, boom, boom' right after I threw the keys. I'm shocked. You never really know until it hits you how something really feels," Spencer said.

Officers on scene spoke with the Spencer's niece, who said she was across the street with her young daughter and watched her aunt get robbed by a suspect who was later identified as Grover Ferguson. Spencer's niece told police Ferguson had obtained her aunt's keys, and had fled the scene in her red Chrysler Pacifica.

"He opened my driver's side and put the gun to me and said 'give up the keys,'" Spencer said. "He screamed it out again and I just threw my keys to him and 'boom, boom, boom,' right after I threw the keys."

Spencer says she'll never forget the moment she realized she'd been shot.

"I was like 'oh my gosh, he just shot me!'" Spencer said. "Why? I gave you everything!"

Police found Spencer's vehicle five hours later -- parked in the 2300 block of N. 40th Street. Police watched the vehicle and eventually observed Ferguson coming out of a nearby residence, entering the vehicle and driving away.

Police were standing by in marked squads, and they attempted to stop the suspect vehicle.

A pursuit ensued when police say Ferguson refused to stop, with speeds estimated at around 70 miles-per-hour. Police say Ferguson disregarded five stop signs and one traffic light during the 1.1-mile pursuit.

The pursuit ended when Ferguson lost control of the vehicle -- ending up in a front yard on N. 39th Street.

Ferguson took off on foot, police say, but as he rounded the corner of a home, he was stopped by the air conditioner. Police say they then observed him doing something with his hands near his waistband, and they then saw a gun. Ferguson was ordered to drop the weapon, and the Ruger .22 caliber revolver was recovered by police.

Ferguson was then taken into custody.