Former Rock basketball player wanted in drive-by shooting
By Josh Rizzo
Issue date: 7/3/09 Section: News
A former SRU basketball star is wanted for two counts of murder for allegedly killing a college student and manager of pizza shop in a drive by shooting in Greenville, North Carolina.
James Earl Richardson, 32, who played basketball at SRU from 1998-2000, is on the run from police and may face the death penalty once captured.
According to ABC News, Greenville Police issued the warrants over the deaths of Landon Blackley, a 21-year-old student at East Carolina University and Andrew Kirby, a manager at Michalengo's, a pizzeria in Greenville.
According to police, the incident occurred early Tuesday morning after Richardson got in a dispute at a bar in Greenville. He allegedly returned to the bar with a weapon began firing and then drove away in his BMW. The car was discovered early Tuesday morning in downtown Greenville.
Both victims were innocent bystanders.
The 6-foot 7 inch Richardson was a star at the Rock. During the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 seasons, Richardson was named All Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference- Second team. He still ranks fourth all-time in SRU history with 69 career blocked shots.
During the 1999-2000 season, SRU finished 17-12 and made a surprise run to the PSAC title game.
After leaving SRU, Richardson played overseas and even made an appearance in the American Basketball Association and Continental Basketball Association. Richardson last played for the Albany Patroons of the CBA in 2005-2006.
Police are still investigating whether there was someone with him at the time of the shooting. Richardson is still at large and police consider him armed and dangerous.
James Earl Richardson, 32, who played basketball at SRU from 1998-2000, is on the run from police and may face the death penalty once captured.
According to ABC News, Greenville Police issued the warrants over the deaths of Landon Blackley, a 21-year-old student at East Carolina University and Andrew Kirby, a manager at Michalengo's, a pizzeria in Greenville.
According to police, the incident occurred early Tuesday morning after Richardson got in a dispute at a bar in Greenville. He allegedly returned to the bar with a weapon began firing and then drove away in his BMW. The car was discovered early Tuesday morning in downtown Greenville.
Both victims were innocent bystanders.
The 6-foot 7 inch Richardson was a star at the Rock. During the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 seasons, Richardson was named All Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference- Second team. He still ranks fourth all-time in SRU history with 69 career blocked shots.
During the 1999-2000 season, SRU finished 17-12 and made a surprise run to the PSAC title game.
After leaving SRU, Richardson played overseas and even made an appearance in the American Basketball Association and Continental Basketball Association. Richardson last played for the Albany Patroons of the CBA in 2005-2006.
Police are still investigating whether there was someone with him at the time of the shooting. Richardson is still at large and police consider him armed and dangerous.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Tripp
posted 7/03/09 @ 5:13 PM EST
My sister was working at that bar when it happen. to bad nobody had any combat/EMS training to help those kids before it was to late.
Coach
posted 7/05/09 @ 3:51 PM EST
Here is another coddled athlete who thought he was above the law. Going to a University didn't do much to help this kid grow up.
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