Three Charged In Hood Park Homicide

Three people have been charged in the Feb. 1 homicide of a Union man at Hood Park in Cuba.

Maurice Williams, 22, Branson, Daeshawn Brandon, born 2001, St. Louis, and Malik Brandon, 24, Belleville, have been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of first-degree assault and first-degree attempted robbery.

Williams and Malik Brandon are in custody.

Malik Brandon was arrested Monday in Adair County. 

Daeshawn Brandon has an outstanding warrant.

The trio are accused of murdering Mister Zombie Halferty, 33, during a late night encounter at Hood Park.

The probable cause statement describes it as an attempted drug deal.

Halferty was allegedly selling marijuana to the three men.

Detectives with the Missouri State Highway Patrol were able to identify Malik Brandon as a person of interest.

The vehicle the three men were traveling in was found abandoned at the Ridge Church in Sullivan on Highway WW.

The plates had been removed, but the VIN was traced back to Malik Brandon.

Detectives spoke with Malik and his partner, Skyler Patton, on Feb. 2. 

Patton told detectives Malik informed her that he was at the scene of the shooting.

She also said they went to purchase marijuana.

Malik told detectives that Williams was driving the vehicle. He said Williams got out and met with Halferty.

Malik said Daeshawn got out and Halferty began shooting at him. Shots were exchanged. Malik said Halferty initiated the gunfire.

Malik said after the shooting, they left, but returned to Halferty’s vehicle to locate “the stuff he was supposed to bring.”

When they returned, Malik claims Halferty raised his gun and Daeshawn shot him again.

Williams allegedly drove the vehicle back to Sullivan where it was abandoned with damage.

Surveillance video at Hood Park shows that at 10:43 p.m., the suspect vehicle parks next to Halferty’s vehicle.

Approximately 10 seconds later, a “dark figure” approaches the driver side of the victim’s vehicle. Three muzzle flashes are seen on the video, along with the sound of gunshots.

More gunshots can be heard, but there are no muzzle flashes due to the gunshots coming from the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle.

The suspect vehicle leaves the scene, but approximately two minutes later, returns.

Approximately eight more gunshots are fired and the suspect vehicle leaves.

Williams was interviewed at the Branson Police Department on March 28. 

He told detectives that electronic messages were exchanged between he and Halferty. 

Halferty told Williams to come to his vehicle and sit in the front passenger’s seat.

Williams got in and said that Halferty retrieved a paper bag behind the driver’s seat, which contained a semi-automatic handgun. Halferty allegedly pointed the gun at Williams.

Daeshawn and Malik exited the vehicle and Williams claimed Halferty pointed the gun at Daeshawn, who fired back.

Williams said he drove away, but was told to go back. Daeshawn allegedly shot Halferty several more times.