In the fall of 2019, a dispute over a small sum of money in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, escalated into a fatal encounter, leaving one man dead and his cousin facing justice. The life of 36-year-old Rayshard Richey was cut short on November 3, 2019, after being shot multiple times in Monnish Park. The incident, which was partially captured on video, stemmed from a disagreement with his cousin, Robert Mitchell Williams.
The conflict began when Richey and his girlfriend went to get money from
Williams, who was homeless and living in the park. An argument ensued after Williams allegedly gave Richey counterfeit money. When Richey confronted him about the fake bills and snatched the rest of his money, the situation turned violent. Williams retrieved a gun and fired at Richey. After initially missing, Williams shot Richey after he had fallen to the ground while trying to flee.
Following an investigation by the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, Robert Mitchell Williams was arrested and initially charged with murder. Investigators at the time believed the argument leading to the shooting was over money owed between the two cousins.
In May 2025, a Tuscaloosa County jury found Williams guilty of the lesser charge of provocation manslaughter. During the trial, Williams' defense attorney argued that Richey had been the aggressor by demanding and then snatching the money. The jury ultimately convicted Williams of manslaughter, taking into account the provocative nature of the events that preceded the shooting.
