In a tragic incident, a Colorado man allegedly shot his friend to death in a cemetery following a dispute over the friend’s intention to vomit near the grave of their deceased friend. The accused, 22-year-old Ryan Trujillo-Falcon, also reportedly assaulted a woman during the incident at Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge. The group had gathered to commemorate the birthday of their mutual friend, who had also been a victim of gun violence.
According to Jefferson County Sheriff’s spokesperson Jacki Kelley, the individuals involved were all acquainted and had come together to visit the grave of their mutual friend. The incident occurred after the cemetery had closed for the night on Saturday, Aug. 17. The victim, 20-year-old Geano Eugene Chavez, had an altercation with an unnamed woman before the shooting.
The dispute reportedly began when Chavez informed the group that he was feeling unwell and intended to vomit. Trujillo-Falcon suggested that Chavez should move to the street if he was going to be sick, but Chavez refused, stating he would vomit on the adjacent grave. As the argument escalated, Trujillo-Falcon allegedly struck the woman on her head with the butt of his gun, before shooting Chavez, who later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The woman involved in the incident was also injured but was treated and released from the hospital. Kelley expressed her shock at the incident, stating that it was the first time in her career that she had been dispatched to a cemetery for a shooting incident. She noted that cemeteries are typically places of comfort and not violence, making the incident highly unusual.
Chavez’s brother, in a GoFundMe fundraiser, described his brother as a true friend and a talented artist with a passion for music. He also mentioned that Chavez was a recent graduate and had a promising future.
Trujillo-Falcon reportedly confessed to the police that he had been carrying a firearm without a legal concealed carry permit since the death of their mutual friend two years ago. He has been charged with first-degree murder and second-degree assault and is currently being held on a $1 million bond at the Jefferson County Jail.