A 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder told investigators he shot a man who threatened to puke on a grave at Crown Hill Cemetery during a memorial service for his friend.
Ryan Trujillo-Falcon, 22, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of first-degree murder, second-degree assault and unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon, according to an arrest affidavit released by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Trujillo-Falcon allegedly shot 20-year-old Geano Chavez and hit a woman in the head with the gun, according to the affidavit.
Paramedics transported both victims to the hospital where Chavez later died from his injuries, police said. The woman was treated and released.
When Wheat Ridge police officers arrived on scene, they found Trujillo-Falcon hiding near gravesites in the middle of the cemetery plot and took him into custody around 12:11 a.m. Monday, the affidavit stated.
Trujillo-Falcon told investigators that he arrived at Crown Hill Cemetary — located at 7777 West 29th Ave. — around 8 p.m. Sunday and that he was there with family members and friends to pay respects to a friend who was fatally shot two years ago, the affidavit stated.
While the group was standing around the grave, Chavez was starting to feel sick and told Trujillo-Falcon he needed to vomit, according to the affidavit.
“[Trujillo-Falcon] told him to go to the street if he was going to get sick, but [Chavez] declined to do so and was going to vomit on the grave next to him,” the affidavit stated.
According to the affidavit, Trujillo-Falcon began arguing with Chavez and a woman, and — moments later — the woman punched him in the mouth, starting a physical fight between all three.
Trujillo-Falcon told police that the woman pulled him down by the hair and, while on the ground, he pulled his gun out from his waistband and struck her in the head with it, according to the affidavit.
Once back on his feet, Trujillo-Falcon told Chavez to stop, the affidavit stated. Despite not seeing a weapon in Chavez’s hands when Chavez started walking toward Trujillo-Falcon, Trujillo-Falcon pointed the gun at him and fired one shot, striking Chavez in the right side of his chest.
In an interview with police, Trujillo-Falcon said the gun was tucked into the front of his waistband, hidden from view.
According to the affidavit, Trujillo-Falcon did not have a concealed carry permit. He told officers he started carrying a gun after his friend was fatally shot two years ago.
Trujillo-Falcon is next set to appear in court for an official filing of charges on Friday, according to court records.
Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.
Originally Published: August 22, 2024 at 1:28 p.m.
