NORFOLK, Va. – On Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 5:48 p.m., Norfolk police responded to an armed, barricaded subject following a domestic dispute in the 1100 block of Land Street.
Upon arrival, the officers were met by a woman who told them that her husband had held her at gunpoint and threatened to kill her. She was able to escape the residence and sought safety at a nearby home.
The victim’s husband, 58-year-old Keith Richardson, was at his residence when the initial responding officers made contact and he threatened to shoot officers. Police quickly established a perimeter and were able to initiate phone communication with Mr. Richardson.
By 7:15 p.m., Norfolk Police Hostage Negotiators assumed control of communications with Mr. Richardson. Throughout negotiations, Mr. Richardson refused to lay down his weapon and surrender to police.
Due to the ongoing threats from Mr. Richardson, the Special Operations Team was activated and assumed control of the incident at 9:15 p.m.
Investigators completed their initial investigation of the original domestic dispute and warrants for Mr. Richardson’s arrest were confirmed at 10:14 p.m.
At approximately 12:46 a.m., gas was deployed into the house. Negotiators reported hearing a gunshot in the residence and there was no communication from Mr. Richardson.
The door to the residence was breached and a robot was utilized to search inside. At 1:10 a.m., negotiators reestablished contact with Mr. Richardson.
At 1:18 a.m., Mr. Richardson exited the residence armed with a handgun and moved to his vehicle, creating a concern he was preparing to leave. Instead, he went back into his residence.
Minutes later, Mr. Richardson emerged from the residence, still armed with a handgun, and walked past his vehicle in the direction of Special Operations Team members. During this time, negotiators were speaking to Mr. Richardson on his cell phone and repeatedly telling him to drop his gun. A Norfolk Police K9 was deployed in an attempt to apprehend Mr. Richardson and neutralize the threat he posed to officers on scene and the general public. Mr. Richardson then shot and killed Norfolk Police Dog “Krijger” K-148.
After killing K9 Krijger, Mr. Richardson raised his weapon, posing a threat to officers at the scene. At that time, a member of the Special Operations Team shot Mr. Richardson and a second K9 dog was deployed to assist with the apprehension. The second NPD K9 was able to hold Mr. Richardson until Special Operations Team members took him into custody at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Mr. Richardson was provided immediate first aid on scene and was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he died from his wounds on January 12, 2016 at 2:30 p.m.
As is routine for any officer-involved shooting incident, the officer involved in Mr. Richardson’s shooting has been placed on administrative duty pending review of the completed investigation.
This remains an ongoing investigation which will be forwarded for review by the Norfolk Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.