In the early morning hours of July 22, 2019, the life of Kimberly Y. Criss, a 49-year-old Black/African American woman, was tragically cut short in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The incident unfolded outside her home on the city's north side, near Clark Street. Gunfire shattered the quiet of the morning, and when the authorities arrived, they found Criss suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind a grieving family and a community searching for answers.
The unexpected violence of her passing sent ripples of shock and sorrow through those who knew her.
The investigation into Criss's death quickly focused on a suspect, Vincent Tyrone Richardson, a 47-year-old man who lived with her. The events leading up to the shooting were witnessed by Criss's 14-year-old son. He reported waking up to the sound of a car outside and, upon looking out the window, saw an SUV pull up. What he witnessed next would forever alter the course of his life. Following the investigation, Richardson was arrested and faced serious charges in connection with Kimberly's death.
Vincent Richardson was charged with first-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm by a felon. The legal proceedings that followed brought to light the violent end to Kimberly Criss's life. Ultimately, Richardson was convicted for his role in her death. He was sentenced to 30 years in state prison, followed by 15 years of extended supervision. The conclusion of the legal case brought a measure of justice for Kimberly and her family, though it could never fill the void left by her absence.
