In the afternoon hours of December 16, 2020, a violent encounter in a BP gas station parking lot at the intersection of Broadway and Summer Street in Paterson, New Jersey, claimed the life of 33-year-old Michael Richardson. The male victim was discovered with apparent gunshot wounds and was rushed to St. Joseph's University Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.
Investigators determined that Richardson had been involved in a verbal altercation with two individuals shortly
before the shooting. The argument escalated, leading to both individuals opening fire on Richardson, striking him multiple times. This brazen act of violence marked another grim statistic in a year that saw a significant increase in homicides in the city of Paterson. The incident took place in a neighborhood known for issues with drugs and gang activity.
A swift investigation led to the arrest of 18-year-old D'Andre Ruff of Paterson just two days after the fatal shooting. Ruff was apprehended following a brief foot chase and was found to be in possession of a handgun with a high-capacity magazine, as well as heroin. He was subsequently charged with murder and multiple weapons and drug offenses. At the time of Ruff's arrest, another man, 22-year-old Keyron Greene, was with him and also attempted to flee. Greene was also found to be armed with a handgun and faced several weapons charges, in addition to charges of receiving stolen property, obstruction of justice, and resisting arrest, though he was not charged in connection with Richardson's murder.
Adding a layer of complexity to the case, it was revealed that at the time of his death, Michael Richardson was a fugitive from justice. He was wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of James Timmons in July of the same year. Authorities had obtained a warrant for Richardson's arrest for murder after witnesses identified him as the perpetrator in that case. Richardson had a criminal history that included serving time in state prison for a home invasion and for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
