In the quiet town of El Reno, Oklahoma, the life of Angela Michelle Thompson, a 45-year-old Black/African American woman, was tragically cut short on the evening of March 10, 2021. Gunfire erupted in the 400 block of South Hadden Avenue, and when police arrived just before 9:30 p.m., they found Ms. Thompson deceased at the scene. Two other individuals were also discovered to have been injured in the shooting.
The investigation into the violent incident swiftly led to a suspect,
21-year-old Jason Lamar Richey. He was taken into custody shortly after the shooting and was subsequently charged with first-degree murder for the death of Ms. Thompson. Richey was also accused of shooting and injuring the two other victims who were present at the scene. An altercation two days prior between Richey and Ms. Thompson's son reportedly preceded the deadly shooting, with Richey allegedly telling the son, 'if I can't get you I'm going to go get your family.'
During the ensuing trial, the prosecution presented evidence, including DNA, that placed the murder weapon in Jason Richey's hands. While in custody at the Canadian County Detention Center, Richey faced further accusations of soliciting murder, having allegedly attempted to arrange the killing of another inmate. Despite these additional charges, the focus of the legal proceedings remained on the murder of Angela Michelle Thompson. The trial concluded with a guilty verdict for first-degree murder, and Jason Lamar Richey was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
