A man from Colorado facing murder charges for a deadly shooting in Denver’s Whittier neighborhood in March was apprehended in Nebraska on Sunday, as per police reports.
Zachary Terrell Rice, aged 30, has been accused of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting that resulted in the death of Marvin McCullough, 37, based on court documents.
Witnesses informed the police that Rice and McCullough had an ongoing dispute, with Rice allegedly confessing to the killing shortly after the incident, stating it was a matter of “him or me,” according to an arrest affidavit.
The shooting took place on March 30, just before 7 p.m., at East 29th Avenue and North Gilpin Street in Denver, close to Fuller Park, where known gang members were hosting a neighborhood barbecue, according to Rice’s arrest warrant.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered McCullough seated in a Gold Mercury Cougar with five gunshot wounds to his right side. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries later on.
It was revealed that McCullough, a documented gang member, was present at the barbecue event.
The police found four bullet casings inside the car, indicating that the shooter was likely inside the vehicle, and McCullough was acquainted with the assailant, the affidavit mentioned.
Witnesses stated that Rice, McCullough, and three others were inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting. However, due to the speed of the incident, the passengers were unable to identify the shooter.
Several anonymous tips were received by the Denver Police Department post the shooting, all pointing towards the same suspect, along with photographs and physical descriptions matching the witness accounts.
Investigations revealed that Rice, also known as “BG” or “Baby Goose,” had a history of criminal activities and had allegedly threatened McCullough before the shooting.
Rice, who was under federal probation during the shooting, had previous run-ins with the law, including charges related to assault, vehicle theft, and weapon offenses, as per court records.
Further inquiries with gang members confirmed that Rice had claimed responsibility for the shooting.
Rice is awaiting extradition to Colorado, with his initial court appearance scheduled for October 1, 2029, five years following his arrest, according to court documents.
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