Former MMA Fighter Found Guilty of Murder
A former mixed martial arts fighter who created an anti-violence nonprofit aimed at addressing gun violence has been convicted of murder following the shooting of another man in Colorado.
Lumumba Sayers, age 47, was found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and attempted tampering with physical evidence, according to a statement from the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
He is scheduled for sentencing on July 24, and under Colorado’s sentencing guidelines, he could face 16 to 48 years in prison for the murder charge.
Prosecutors asserted that Sayers left an anti-violence event on August 10, 2024, and drove to a children’s birthday party at a local water park. There, he confronted the victim, Malcolm Johnson, and shot him multiple times, as reported by Colorado Public Radio.
Sayers acknowledged that he had a weapon when the shooting occurred, though it was not the firearm used in Johnson’s death. Prosecutors claimed that the weapon employed was a 3D-printed gun, often referred to as a “ghost gun,” which has never been recovered.
Details suggest this untraceable firearm was transferred to another individual and subsequently vanished. Interestingly, there was no surveillance footage capturing the incident.
Officials indicated that the shooting was an act of revenge for the August 2023 murder of Sayers’ son, Lumumba Sayers Jr. Charges were brought against a man named Tyrell Braxton in connection with that case, but they were ultimately dismissed.
Sayers believed that Johnson had a role in his son’s death. After the shooting, Sayers reportedly tried to draw a firearm on Johnson. However, he stated that he only removed the weapon and placed it down before law enforcement arrived.
Sayers had previously operated a nonprofit organization called “Heavy Hands Heavy Hearts.” This organization describes itself as dedicated to transforming lives through education, mentorship, and community engagement, focusing particularly on physical training. It also received state and federal funds for its “Glovez Up, Gunz Down Movement” program.
The organization’s mission, as noted on its website, highlights the development of responsibility both in and out of the gym, aiming to instill discipline and respect among its participants.
In the realm of mixed martial arts, Sayers competed in Strikeforce MMA during 2011 and 2012, facing off against future UFC talent. Strikeforce was later acquired and fully integrated into the UFC.
As of now, Sayers’ attorney has not provided a comment on the conviction.
