On Friday afternoon, CMPD police officers responded to the Rose Garden Apartments- located off McAlway Road. Neighbors called police when they heard a loud argument in Apartment 'E.' Police arrived and discovered a man stabbed to death inside the apartment. Crime scene technicians and Homicide detectives were called the scene.I heard about the homicide and decided to go to the scene. I knew Jonathan Jones was going to be there and I have never seen a crime scene for myself. I will tell you now- the experience is not something I would recommend to anyone! It was an eye opening and heartbreaking experience to say the least.
After police discovered the victim's body, they spoke with witnesses at the scene who said they witnessed a man speed away from the complex in the victim’s vehicle. A broadcast was made and police all over the city were on the lookout for the victim’s vehicle- a red GMC Jimmy. Police roped off the crime scene and stood guard until crime scene technicians and homicide detectives arrived.
A short time later, a vehicle matching the description of the victim’s was spotted at a car wash on the corner of Albemarle Rd & Reddman Rd. Police checked the vehicle and discovered the vehicle was the red GMC Jimmy they were looking for. Police saw a lot of blood inside the vehicle and roped if off with yellow crime scene tape to preserve the evidence. 
At the apartment complex, neighbors gathered around and looked on with concern and sadness. Neighbors told us the man who lived in apartment ‘E’ is named Mark Alexander Bivens, 37.
Neighbors said Bivens lived in the apartment for approximately two months. Those who knew Mark Bivens were visibly upset and said he was a good guy and not involved in any criminal activity. All of them stated they could not imagine anyone wanting to hurt him.
Bivens' family and friends started to arrive. Police could not confirm the identity of the man inside the apartment. Investigators had not arrived and the crime scene is off limits until they do. They were all hoping and praying it wasn't their loved one but they were visibly shaken and upset.
Media trucks filled the parking lot and cameras were rolling as reporters interviewed witnesses and friends of the victim. Jonathan Jones was busy snapping photos of the crime scene and talking to people in the crowd. In addition to contributing photos to this site, Jonathan has provided me with a lot of information he gathered at the scene to include in my posts. It was neat to finally watch him at work. Even though there was a lot of commotion, it was still a solemn scene.
The crime scene van drove up in front of the apartment and the team got out and started inspecting the scene. Soon thereafter, the homicide detectives arrived on the scene and started to investigate. They spoke with witnesses and family and friends of Bivens.The media started to receive reports about a possible suspect at the hospital. Prior to police locating the victim's vehicle, a man arrived at the car wash with deep cuts in his hands. He asked another customer to call an ambulance and he was transported to the hospital. Police at the homicide scene would not confirm this information but we were all hoping it was true.
Crime scene technicians dressed in special white suits so they wouldn't contaminate the crime scene evidence. We could see the two officers who originally responded to the call remove their shoes and put them in evidence bags. I was standing behind the crime scene tape, but I could see the blood in the parking lot and on the apartment door. It looked to be a pretty gruesome crime scene inside the apartment.
A short time later, homicide detectives exited the apartment and approached Bivens' family. The detectives had a photo of the victims face and they needed someone to identify him. The detective brought the family aside and showed them the photo. Suddenly, I heard a bone chilling scream and everyone turned quiet.I could see people gather around and police officers running over towards where the family was. One of Bivens family members had collapsed and fell to the ground when she heard the news about her loved one. An ambulance was called and transported the woman to the hospital. It was heartbreaking to watch his family and friends in so much pain.
The crime scene technicians started to process the crime scene. They marked the blood spots in the parking lot and sidewalk with lettered cards and took photos. They moved inward towards the apartment and photographed the blood on the apartment door.
The investigators entered the apartment and we watched as they carried out bags of evidence they collected. It was after 6:00pm when the media started to dissemble and leave. Most of the neighbors who had come to watch had gone home and it was getting dark. Jonathan Jones and I left as well.
Later in the evening, I was thrilled to learn police had arrested Melvin Gene Ferguson, Jr., 26. (Shown R) Ferguson is the man who was transported from the car wash to the hospital with cuts on his hands. As soon as he was treated for his injuries, police took him into custody and charged him with murder and robbery.Come to find out, Melvin Ferguson was wanted for murdering a man in Dinwiddie County, VA. Ferguson shot William Bynum in a Wal-Mart parking lot on May 28, 2005. Ferguson was featured on Petersburg -Dinwiddie's Most Wanted List but police were unable to catch him. I think it is safe to assume Melvin Ferguson will spend the rest of his life in prison!
Photojournalist Jonathan Jones provided the following photos: