Florissant Man Taken Off Life Support After Fight with Hazelwood Man, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Investigating

A Florissant man was in critical condition after he fought with a Hazelwood man during a washer tournament at a local pub last week.

Randy Ferger, a father-of-four who lives in Florissant, reportedly had a physical confrontation with the 37-year-old Hazelwood man at Pirate’s Cove Bar & Grill on Thursday.

Ferger’s acquaitnence called the Florissant Police Department after the incident, Officer Andy Haarmann told the Post, adding that Ferger sustained a serious head injury during the altercation.

Florissant Police presented the case to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s office on Saturday, and the agency has taken the case under advisement pending further investigation. Haarmann also noted that police have arrested the suspect and released him pending investigation, adding that police have been in contact with the suspect since.

Friends and Family Hold a Candlelight Vigil

While Haarmann told the Post that he didn’t know whether Ferger knew the suspect, Patch spoke with Ferger’s friend, Mike Hoffner, who offered additional insight into the situation.

Hoffner and more than 200 other people gathered on Tuesday night at Koch Park to hold a candlelight vigil for Ferger.

“This is a time and place for positive energy, prayer, respect, quiet, and stillness. We will not leave anything in the park but our heartfelt thoughts,” stated the Facebook invitation. “Please only bring your candle, and a cup to protect your flame.”

Hoffner told Patch Ferger was taken off life support on Wednesday at 4 p.m. after a brain scan revealed zero brainwaves.

“He’s off life support now, so it’s just a matter of time,” Hoffner said.

More to the Story, Friend Says

Hoffner said that there’s more to the story than most news outlets are sharing. First, he said, Ferger was dropped on his doorstep after the fight and was found the next morning in a pool of blood.

“He has had brain surgery and extensive measures have been taken to save his life, but he has never regained full consciousness,” Hoffner said. “Police picked up one of the two men but only held him for 24 hours.”

He added that though the names of both men that were involved have “gotten around via word of mouth,” no one is coming forward with the details.  But, he said, the nearby Walgreens and Valvoline Instant Oil Change might also have cameras that could’ve caught the incident.

Frustrated Friends and Family: Why Suspects Are Still Walking Free?

“I'm very angry.  It makes me sick to my stomach to think that that man’s walking around and Randy’s laying in a bed,” Jill Szepanski, another one of Feger’s friends, told KMOV.  “He would always be there for you, a shoulder to cry on, and this was just a senseless act that happened.”

KMOV also reported that police aren’t releasing the suspect’s name, but that they plan to file more serious criminal charges if Ferger passes away. Florissant police plan to release additional information as more evidence is collected.

Recent Updates on Ferger’s Condition

Hoffner tells Patch that as of around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Ferger is no longer on the vent and has been moved to a comfort room in the hospital.

“His breathing is shallow and labored, so it’s a matter of time,” he said.

Another friend noted on the Facebook event around the same time that Ferger was "moving and breathing on his own," but that "prayers are stilll going out for the family and for a full speedy recovery."

Florissant Patch will continue to follow Ferger’s story. Sign up for our free email newsletter to be kept up-to-date on the developments as they happen.

Were you at Pirates Cove last Thursday night? Did you witness the incident? Tell us in the comments, or email editor Angela Atkinson at angela.atkinson@patch.com with your story.