Tensia Martinez Richard, a 22-year-old White / Caucasian mother of two, was killed on October 25, 2012, in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, by her estranged husband. Her death was the culmination of a history of domestic abuse that had caused her to fear for her life. On that Thursday afternoon, Tensia had been at an Anytime Fitness in a local strip mall for about half an hour when her estranged husband, 22-year-old Chevel Richard, lured her outside.
Once in the parking lot, Chevel began
shooting at Tensia with a. 45-caliber handgun. She fled across the parking lot, seeking refuge in a nearby Jimmy John's sandwich shop. Chevel pursued her into the restaurant and shot her to death. After killing Tensia, he turned the gun on himself, inflicting a fatal wound. He died several hours later at a local hospital. The tragic event left their two young sons, aged three years and five months, without their parents.
The investigation revealed a long and troubled history of domestic violence. Chevel had a documented history of abuse, and Tensia had previously sought and received a protective order against him. In court documents from June 2011, she stated that Chevel had threatened to kill her and take their child. She also expressed fear that he would become angrier after she involved the police. Despite her fears, the protective order was later rescinded, and the couple reconciled for a time before separating again. Police who had worked with Tensia noted that she was assessed as being at high risk for homicide. No arrests were made in the case as the sole suspect, Chevel Richard, died by suicide.
