On a somber Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Kentucky, the tragic death of Joseph Demetrius 'Meachie' Richardson unfolded under the most unlikely of circumstances. On June 4, 2022, the 35-year-old Black male was attending a funeral service at the Unity Worship Center when he was fatally shot outside the church. The brazen act of violence also resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to a female victim.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Haggard Court at approximately 2:00
p.m. Richardson, a resident of nearby Versailles, was rushed to the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead at 2:42 p.m. from a gunshot wound, according to the Fayette County coroner's office. The funeral he was attending was for another shooting victim, highlighting a devastating cycle of violence in the community.
Joseph Richardson, born on March 15, 1987, in Lexington, was known for his love of motorcycles, singing, and dancing. A graduate of Raceland-Worthington Independent Schools, he worked as a granite sealer. He was a husband and a father, leaving behind his wife, Raquel Devine Richardson, and their two children. His death was recorded as the 22nd homicide in Lexington for 2022.
As of the latest available reports, no arrests have been made in connection with Richardson's murder. The Lexington Police Department's investigation into the shooting is ongoing. Investigators have described the incident as a possible 'execution style murder' and believe it to be a retaliation shooting. Authorities have appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the identification and apprehension of the suspect or suspects responsible for this public and violent act. A reward was offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
