Colorado Springs man arrested for murder following fatal Memorial Park shooting

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A 20-year-old Colorado Springs man has been arrested on a first-degree murder charge after a deadly shooting early Saturday morning at Memorial Park, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).

Police say officers were called to the parking lot of Memorial Park near South Hancock Avenue around 2:23 a.m. on July 18 for a reported shooting. When officers arrived, they found an adult man dead inside a vehicle, according to CSPD.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by KRDO13, the deceased driver matched records of Haywood Trisby.

While investigating the scene, officers say they spotted a vehicle believed to be connected to the shooting leaving the area. Additional officers located the vehicle nearby with several people inside, says CSPD.

According to law enforcement, detectives later identified 20-year-old Malaki Branch as the suspect. Branch was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder.

Court records state that when officers made contact with the vehicle Branch was in, he made the "spontaneous statement: 'I can't believe I got caught.'"

Branch then admitted that there was a handgun on the floorboard of the vehicle, claims court records. According to police, two other occupants in the vehicle with Branch both spoke with detectives.

The driver, identified as Michael Adams alledgly told police that he, his girlfriend, and Branch were at Memorial Park when individuals in an SUV began an argument, making derogatory statements toward them.

While leaving the park, Adams told police that individuals kept yelling, and then another vehicle began following them. According to the arrest affidavit, Adams told police that he made a U-turn and began driving back to the park when he heard a gunshot.

Court records state that Adams told police that Branch then began firing his gun out the window of the car while they drove away from the park.

The arrest affidavit states that back at the scene of the crime, officers were approached by three additional people who said they were on scene with the deceased driver at the time of the shooting.

One individual identified as Marcellus Terry, who came back to the scene, told police that they were hanging out with Trisby in his car when another vehicle arrived. According to court records, he reported that two males confronted their group, asking which gang they represented.

Records say that Terry and the others responded that they were at the park to hang out and didn't want problems. Terry said the group that confronted them got back in their vehicle, left the scene, and then turned around and shot towards them. According to court records, Terry stated that he and others ran, later realizing that Trisby was not with them.

Branch allegedly told police he was not involved in the shooting.

Police say the investigation remains active. Anyone with information or who witnessed the shooting is asked to call (719) 444-4000. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.

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