Just days before Christmas, on December 21, 2024, the life of 28-year-old Richard Spigner Jr. was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence outside his home on Rodman Place in the West Farms section of the Bronx. A devoted father to two young sons, ages one and three, Spigner had recently begun a new job at a nursing home and was remembered by loved ones as a dedicated family man, friend, and sibling.
The fatal encounter unfolded when Anthony Riser, a man who lived just a few
doors down from Spigner, entered the building seeking an individual with whom he had a prior disagreement. Spigner, described as being mistakenly drawn into the conflict, lent his phone to Riser to make a call. That call reportedly became contentious, and the situation escalated rapidly. Riser then drew a gun and fired multiple shots, striking Spigner in the face and chest. Emergency services transported him to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
For three months, the New York Police Department investigated the homicide, appealing to the public for assistance in locating the suspect. In February 2025, the NYPD identified 27-year-old Anthony Riser as the primary suspect and released his photo. The search culminated in Riser's arrest in March 2025. He was subsequently charged with murder, manslaughter, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. The arrest brought a measure of relief to Spigner's grieving family, who had been vocal in their pleas for justice for their loved one.
