Lumumba Sayers Sr., a former MMA fighter and anti-gun violence advocate, is accused of shooting and killing a man at a child’s pool party in Commerce, Colorado. The victim, Malcolm Watson, was hosting the party for his 5-year-old son when he was shot in the head. The shooting is believed to be in retaliation for the murder of Sayers Sr.’s son, Lumumba Sayers Jr., who was killed in a shooting a year ago in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood.
Witnesses at the scene stated that Sayers Jr. was murdered by a friend of Watson, leading to a possible motive for the shooting. Watson’s sister, however, maintains that her brother was innocent and questions why he was targeted if he had no involvement in the previous murder. Despite the connection between Watson and the man charged in Sayers Jr.’s murder, Tyrell Braxton, the details of their relationship were not provided in the affidavit.
Braxton was arrested and charged in the murder of Sayers Jr. but the case was dismissed. Braxton is now facing federal charges of illegal possession of ammunition. Sayers Sr. is the founder of the Heavy Hands Heavy Hearts boxing gym in Aurora and runs the “Gloves Up Guns Down: Get Your Heads Up in the Hood movement,” a foundation aimed at steering young people away from violence through structured training and a sense of belonging.
After the death of his son, Sayers Jr., Sayers Sr. expressed grief over losing his son in the community where they worked to make a difference. He adamantly spoke out against the violence and the impact it has on families and communities. Another leader in Sayers’ community highlighted the need for ongoing support for those grieving the loss of a loved one to gun violence, acknowledging the lasting effects it can have on individuals like Sayers Sr.
Following the shooting in Commerce, Sayers Sr. is being held in the Adams County Detention Facility on a $1 million bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on August 15. The case has brought attention to the ongoing issue of gun violence and the impact it has on families and communities. Sayers Sr.’s work as an anti-gun violence advocate and his founding of a boxing gym aimed at deterring young people from violence highlights the importance of community support and intervention in preventing future tragedies.
