Charles Lee Richardson

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 23-667-UF Version Type: AMENDED Report Date: 3/7/2024 1:42 PM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Bonham Police Agency Name: Agency Address: 301 East 5th St. Dept. Agency City: BONHAM Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 75418 Director Information Director Salutation: Chief Director First Name: Andrew Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Hawkes Reporter Name: Andrew Hawkes Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Identity of Deceased Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- First Name: Charles Middle Name: Lee Last Name: Richardson Suffix: Date of Birth: 3/22/1963 Sex: Male Race: Anglo or White Age At Time Of Death: 60 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 5/6/2023 12:37 PM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 5/6/2023 12:37 PM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results are Evaluation?: available What was the manner of death? (select only one) Homicide (includes Manner of Death: Justifiable Homicide) Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: homicide Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: Unknown If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Law Who caused the death?: enforcement/correctional personnel If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of weapon that caused Firearm, death?: unspecified Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Not Applicable; cause of death was Pre existing medical accidental injury, condition?: intoxication, suicide or homicide If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Means of Death: Firearm Location / Custody Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Where did the event causing the death occur? 2122 N. Center Street Address: City: Bonham Street County: Fannin Zip: 75418 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Business What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Pre-Custodial Use Type of Custody: of Force Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: N/A What was the time and date of the deceased's entry into the law enforcement facility where the death occurred (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Entry Date Time: Entry Date Time N/A: Where did the death occur? Death Location: Scene of incident General Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Other Agencies Respond?: Yes What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death? Offense 1: Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon Offense 2: Offense 3: Not filed at time of Were the Charges:: death What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Violent Crime Type of Offense: Against Persons At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon? Decedent display/use of Yes, mark all that weapons: apply Decedent Display or Use Displayed firearm Weapon Details: without discharge At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Yes (select all that Attempt to Injure Others?: apply) Attempted to injure Ways Decedent Attempted To law enforcement Injure Others: personnel Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or Yes Make suicidal statements?: No drugs): Exhibit any mental health Unknown Exhibit any medical problems?: No problems?: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or No No standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's Yes No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to Yes No including law: escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession No officer's weapon: Was the deceased under restraint in the time leading up to the death or the events causing the death? Under Restraint: No Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: On 05/06/2023 at approximately 1237 hours, the Bonham Police Department received a 911 emergency call from George Hiatt (Manager at Bonham Chrysler 2122 N Center St. Bonham, TX) advising that a male subject (later identified as Charles Richardson) was standing next to a white 2019 Ram truck bearing TXLP MTC 9780 pulling a camper bearing TXLP 5VC808. Richardson was talking to himself, so Hiatt approached him and asked if he could help him. Richardson then displayed a handgun which was tucked into his belt behind his back and advised that he could help them. At 1241 hours, Sgt. Trevor Franz, and Ptl. Blake Garcia arrived on scene and positioned their patrol units (Sgt. Franz in Patrol Unit 4, and Ptl. Garcia in Patrol Unit 6) at the southwest corner of Bonham Chrysler's property. Sgt. Franz advised via radio to lock down Bonham Chrysler and Family Dollar due the nature of the call in progress. It was also requested that the 2100 block of N Center St be closed and for units working a special assignment (Det. Cory Brookshire, and Det. Joe Gentry) reassign to this call for service. Richardson was observed by Sgt. Franz and Ptl. Garcia in an area between the front line of new vehicles and the Bonham Chrysler Showroom / offices. He was displaying a black handgun (Berretta Px4 Storm S/N PX342771) and pointed it towards Sgt. Franz and Ptl. Garcia. Officers took cover behind the engine block of a Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- new Ram 4x4 pickup. Due to distance, and the backdrop of the showroom, it was not clear for officers to engage Richardson at this time. While officers were behind cover, Richardson began walking northwest towards his camper and also towards Officer Cody Dixon (Pittsburg, TX PD) who was passing by, observed the situation, and stopped to assist. Ptl. Garcia attempted to relocate closer to the camper. While relocating, Richardson raised the Berretta, pointing it at Ptl. Garcia. At this point, both Ptl. Garcia and Sgt. Franz engaged Richardson by firing their service weapons. Richardson was struck my gunfire multiple times and fell to the ground, dropping the Berretta and a methamphetamine glass pipe with narcotic residue. Sgt. Franz communicated via radio that shots had been fired and that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was needed. Both officers approached Richardson who appeared to be reaching for the dropped Berretta. The Berretta was kicked out of reach by officers. Ptl. Garcia attempted to place Richardson in custody, but stopped after applying one cuff to retrieve a medical trauma kit from his patrol unit. Life saving attempts were made on Richardson, but his wounds proved to be critical and beyond treatment. Det. Brookshire, and Medic 22 carrying Marshall Clem and Haley Whiting arrived on scene shortly after. Bonham PD command staff were notified and additional personnel were called in to assist. Texas Ranger Heath Peacock was contacted to take over the scene / investigation. All persons listed on the officers section and persons section of this report were on scene. Evidence markers were placed around the scene by items of evidentiary value and photographed. ACO. Krista Green removed Richardson's service animal from the cab of his pickup and took it to the shelter for care until it can be released to a family member. Det. Melanie Elliott and Det. Gentry operated the FARO to scan the crime scene. Sgt. Kolton Phillips operated a departmental drone to photograph and scan the scene. At 1436 hours, Ranger Peacock arrived and took over the investigation. At 1606 hours, JP Robert Clemmons arrived. At 1806 hours, Cooper Sorrells personnel Clifford Jones, Tristan Jacobs, and Joey Gibbs arrived on scene to remove Richardson's body to prepare for autopsy. At 1830 hours, JN Wrecker removed Richardson's truck and camper from Bonham Chrysler property. It should also be noted that Richardson was issued a Criminal Trespass Warning on 07/07/2021 at 0836 hours by Det. Brookshire (Incident 2021-00008152) which was in effect (No Expiration) at the time of this call for service. Richardson was in commission of Criminal Trespass 30.05(d)(3)(C) a Class A misdemeanor prior to officer arrival. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7