Jury finds Fort Wayne man guilty of murder in 2021 killing, reactions from victim’s family

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - An Allen County jury found a 26-year-old Fort Wayne man guilty of murder on Friday in connection with a 35-year-old Decatur woman’s 2021 death.

Ajaylan Shabazz has been found guilty of murder for his role in the killing of Tiffany Ferris at the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel on Coliseum Boulevard in May of 2021.

Shabazz is set to be sentenced on March 18. He faces up to 65 years in prison.

Terry Smith Jr. is also charged in the case after court documents say he battered Ferris and then drowned her at the hotel on May 10, 2021. After she died, documents say Smith attempted to stage the scene to make it look like an overdose.

Smith pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated battery in April last year, calling for his murder charge to be dropped in exchange for testimony in the case. He is set to be sentenced on Feb. 22.

Ferris’ family says the process has been tough, but they’re relieved they are getting closer to the finish line - and are glad that their fight was for good reason.

Ferris’ brother, Chad Erhardt says, “We managed to stay in there and hang tough and we’re just glad we finally got a good verdict.”

“It’s been very hard to go through, it’ll be three years this May, and it’s been very hard to go through. It’s just been a battle but I’m glad that we’re here and I’m glad that we’re done.”