Anti-violence activist charged with first-degree murder in Commerce City shooting

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Lumumba Sayers Sr., a well-known anti-violence advocate in the Denver metro, was formally charged with first-degree murder on Thursday.

The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced the filing of charges against Sayers Sr. for his alleged role in the death of Malcolm Watson at a child’s birthday party in Commerce City.

Per the district attorney’s office, Sayers Sr. was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of menacing.

“We know this was a jarring crime as it happened in such a crowded place– a parking lot that services both a popular pool and park filled with families and children just trying to enjoy their last days of summer. Violence like this won’t be tolerated in our city. Those who choose to perpetrate it will be held accountable,” said the Commerce City Police Department on Facebook.

FOX31’s Vicente Arenas was in court on Thursday where the judge had to create an overflow room because so many showed up in support of both the suspect and the victim. The hearing became heated when the victim’s family members began to plead with the judge to not lower Sayers’ bond, which was initially set at $1 million. During the hearing, the bond was raised to $5 million.

Several of the victim’s family members, including his sisters, said they feared for their lives adding that they believed Sayers would continue on his “path of vengeance” if he were set free on bail.

One of the most emotional moments came when Watson’s mother stood at the podium before the judge. She at times shouted in the courtroom during the bond hearing, yelled expletives, pounded the podium and called Sayers a “fraud”.

For several minutes, Sayers was removed from the courtroom during some of the most contentious moments. He was later brought back in, but the judge ordered spectators in the courtroom to stay calm. At least 7 deputies were standing in the courtroom at one point.

Man killed at birthday party

On Aug. 10, Commerce City police responded to a shooting at Pioneer Park at around 5 p.m.

According to the arrest affidavit obtained by FOX31, witnesses told police that Sayers Sr. showed up to the party uninvited and walked up to Watson and shot him.

A witness was caught on video yelling at Sayers Sr. that he “killed her baby’s daddy on her baby’s birthday,” according to the affidavit.

Detectives who spoke to witnesses at the scene were told Watson was a friend of the person who allegedly killed Sayers Sr.’s son one year ago. The witnesses said Watson’s murder was “probably retaliation or revenge,” and detectives are considering this as a possible motive.

In August 2023, Sayers Sr. lost his son to gun violence after he was shot and killed near 28th and Welton streets.

Sayers Sr. was booked into the Adams County Jail on a $5 million bond. The preliminary trial is set for Oct. 9.

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