In the early hours of a Sunday morning in Columbus, Georgia, 60-year-old Richard Watson, a male, tragically lost his life in a selfless act of courage. On April 26, 2020, while on Cusseta Road, Watson witnessed a man physically assaulting a woman. He made the fateful decision to stop his vehicle and intervene, a choice that would ultimately cost him his life.
As Watson tried to help the woman, he was shot and killed.
The quiet man, a graduate of Carver High School, was known by friends and family as someone who was always trying to protect people. His death left his community in mourning and his family heartbroken.
The investigation into his death quickly led to a suspect, Frankie Walker. Eyewitnesses at the scene identified Walker as the man who was assaulting the female and as one of the individuals who fired a weapon. Police also recovered surveillance video from nearby businesses that captured the incident. Walker was subsequently arrested and charged with the murder of Richard Watson.
During a preliminary court hearing in May 2020, a detective testified that Watson was shot after he stopped to save the woman from the attack. The detective also revealed that multiple rounds were fired at Watson's vehicle as he tried to get away after being shot. A court document from September 2022 indicated that Frankie Walker was facing multiple charges in connection with the incident, including murder and aggravated assault. However, the final disposition of the case against Frankie Walker, including details of a trial, conviction, or sentencing, is not available in the public record. There was also mention of two other male suspects being present, but it is not publicly known if they were ever identified or charged.
