Family of Pioneer Park shooting victim honor him, remain fearful of further violence

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COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (KDVR) — A day after tensions flared in the courtroom when Lumumba Sayers Sr. was charged with shooting and killing 28-year-old Malcolm Watson, Watson’s family and friends gathered Friday night to remember him.

They got together at Pioneer Park in Commerce City, the same spot where he was killed last Saturday, to mourn his loss. In court on Thursday, both Watson’s and Sayers’ families had heated interactions, and because of that, a family member who spoke with FOX31 wished to remain anonymous for her safety.

“He was a father of three, an uncle of, say, about 15,” Watson’s relative said.

A family man is how she would best describe Watson.

“He was definitely our protector,” she said. “We knew that we were safe with him.”

One whose sense of humor they say will be sorely missed.

“There was nothing that Malcolm couldn’t make a joke out of and make sure that everybody was smiling,” she said.

Tensions high in courtroom after Commerce City homicide

She said she spoke with Watson last Friday, not knowing it would be her last time talking to him.

“We had a short conversation where we were, like, we said I love you and we’ll talk later,” she said.

He was killed the next day. Sayers Sr. is now charged with his murder, and the judge ruled to hold him on bond.

Watson’s family is thankful for that, not only because their brother was killed.

“But because what he did was heinous, what he did was terrible,” his family member said.

In court on Thursday, tensions were high, with shouting back and forth between both parties. Watson’s family said they feel unsafe even with Sayers behind bars, saying his supporters are still out there.

“Who is to say that they won’t come after us because he’s in jail?” Watson’s family member said.

Despite that, the family felt it was right to honor him at the park with a balloon release. And if his family member had known that the last time talking to him would be forever, she would have wanted him to know he will live on forever.

“He’ll never be forgotten,” she said. “And I have his back just like I did when he was here physically.”

Sayers Sr. was booked into the Adams County Jail on a $5 million bond. His next court appearance is set for Oct. 4 at 9 a.m.

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Nate Belt

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