Story by Ethan
On August 20th, 2024, charges against Keyah Richardson, 19, were announced by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Keyah Richardson was charged with first-degree Attempted Murder; second-degree Attempted Murder; first-degree Attempted Assault; three counts of second-degree Assault; three counts of first-degree Reckless Endangerment; third-degree Grand Larceny; third-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property; fourth-degree Grand Larceny; Possession of Burglar’s Tools; two counts of fourth-degree Criminal Mischief; Endangering the Welfare of a Child; Reckless Driving; and several other motor vehicle offenses.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated, “This defendant is accused of attempting to murder a New York City police officer with a stolen car and nearly striking an adult and child as he drove on a North Corona sidewalk. Thanks to extraordinary police work, this defendant was arrested before anyone else could be harmed. I am grateful that the injured officer is recuperating from his injuries.”
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, at approximately 5:00 p.m., on August 18th, 2024, New York Police Department officers were conducting an ongoing investigation to find a stolen 2020 white Infiniti. Officers saw Keyah Richardson on 34-14 99th Street in North Corona, in a car with no license plates that matched the description of the stolen vehicle. Keyah Richardson was seen driving the car in reverse onto the sidewalk where he almost hit two pedestrians, one child and one adult. A NYPD sergeant identified himself as an officer to Keyah Richardson, and instructed him to stop the vehicle. Keyah Richardson disregarded the sergeant’s orders, and instead drove the car towards Officer Bartholemew Tully. Keyah Richardson managed to strike Officer Bartholemew Tully as he jumped onto the hood of a car adjacent to him. Keyah Richardson then sped off, driving the wrong way on a one-way street while hitting several parked cars. Keyah Richardson was finally caught and apprehended on a rooftop of 38-11 97th street. NYPD officers recovered a diagnostics key programmer, as well as two license plates. Officer Bartholemew Tully was taken to a local hospital to get treated for injuries he sustained on his hip, knee, and ankle.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Keyah Richardson are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
