Continued delays for suspect in fatal shooting near Colorado Springs youth football game
The Colorado Springs man facing charges related to a fatal shooting in the parking lot of a Pop Warner Youth Football game in October has yet to enter an initial plea more than eight months after the alleged murder.
Antivius Crowder, 32, is accused of gunning down 29-year-old Donte Rice on Oct. 5 after a verbal argument allegedly escalated. According to an arrest affidavit, the football game was taking place at athletic fields near Atlas Prep, on the city’s south side in the 1600 block of South Murray Boulevard. At the time, police confirmed the incident was not related to the sports event or the school.
Crowder’s case has seen delay after delay in the 4th Judicial District since his arrest on Oct. 25. On Wednesday, Crowder’s defense attorney informed the court there was still evidence to be collected before her client could enter a plea.
Judge William Bain opted to set the next arraignment date for mid-August, acknowledging a local backlog regarding cellphone data extraction for criminal cases.
A handful of Crowder’s family members appeared to be sitting in the courtroom Wednesday behind his attorney. On the opposite benches sat a few of Rice’s family members, who were seen talking with the prosecutor and a victim advocate.
According to prior Gazette coverage, Crowder and Rice were co-defendants in a pair of commercial burglary cases in 2014 and 2015. Crowder’s affidavit states the pair used to be close associates but had a falling out “possibly due to Mr. Crowder ‘snitching’ on someone else.”
Crowder’s criminal history has landed him in the Department of Corrections before. Court records show he pleaded guilty to burglary and theft in 2015 and received six years in prison. In 2017, he received a two-year sentence related to money laundering and burglary charges from 2015.
In addition, his affidavit states that he allegedly has ties to several local gangs, including the Crips.
Crowder appeared in custody Wednesday and remains in the El Paso County jail on a $1 million bond. He is expected to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty in August barring more delays.
