Aurora police discuss video of officer fatally shooting 14-year-old Jor’Dell Richardson
The Denver Post (archive.ph)
By Elise Schmelzer
2023-06-09 21:18:25GMT

Laurie Littlejohn, right, and Jameco Richardson, second from left, the parents of 14-year-old Jor’Dell Da’Shawn Richardson, gather with family outside the Aurora police station before going inside to demand body camera footage and the name of the officer who shot their son on June 5, 2023 in Aurora, Colorado. At left is Allison Peterson, RichardsonÕs fiance, and second from right is Larry Douglas, LittlejohnÕs boyfriend. The family of JorÕDell Richardson gathered at the station, located at 13347 E. Montview Blvd, to ask for more details regarding the shooting death of the 14 year old teenager. Supported by members of the Denver-Aurora Community Action Committee and others, the group is asking for the full, unedited footage of the shooting including the police body cams, surveillance video from nearby businesses and any HALO footage. The group is also asking for the release of the identity of the Aurora PD officer who shot JorÕDell Richardson to death. Aurora Police said JorÕDell Richardson was one of several people involved in a robbery at a smoke shop. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Aurora police on Friday held a news conference to release body-worn camera video showing an officer fatally shoot 14-year-old Jor’Dell Richardson after he ran from police investigating suspicious activity.
According to police, officers on June 1 chased a group of teenagers who ran from a convenience store near the intersection of East Eighth Avenue and Dayton Street. A gang sergeant on patrol noticed the group and asked for backup because the teens were wearing medical masks and sweatshirts, a news release from the police department said. Police took two teens into custody and others fled in a car that police said was stolen.
Two officers chased Richardson, who was armed, into an alley. According to police, one of the officers shot Richardson “during a struggle to take him into custody.”
After the shooting, investigators determined that at least one of the teenagers threatened the convenience store clerk with a gun and they took several vape canisters, according to police.
The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave while the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting.
Family members of Richardson and their lawyers watched the footage at Aurora police headquarters Tuesday, police officials and family representatives said. State law mandates that law enforcement agencies wait 72 hours after showing body camera footage to the family of someone killed by police before releasing it publicly.
Richardson’s family last week called on police to release the videos and said the 14-year-old had never been in trouble with police. He had just graduated eighth grade.

KDVR
The Denver Post (archive.ph)
By Elise Schmelzer
2023-06-09 21:18:25GMT

Laurie Littlejohn, right, and Jameco Richardson, second from left, the parents of 14-year-old Jor’Dell Da’Shawn Richardson, gather with family outside the Aurora police station before going inside to demand body camera footage and the name of the officer who shot their son on June 5, 2023 in Aurora, Colorado. At left is Allison Peterson, RichardsonÕs fiance, and second from right is Larry Douglas, LittlejohnÕs boyfriend. The family of JorÕDell Richardson gathered at the station, located at 13347 E. Montview Blvd, to ask for more details regarding the shooting death of the 14 year old teenager. Supported by members of the Denver-Aurora Community Action Committee and others, the group is asking for the full, unedited footage of the shooting including the police body cams, surveillance video from nearby businesses and any HALO footage. The group is also asking for the release of the identity of the Aurora PD officer who shot JorÕDell Richardson to death. Aurora Police said JorÕDell Richardson was one of several people involved in a robbery at a smoke shop. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Aurora police on Friday held a news conference to release body-worn camera video showing an officer fatally shoot 14-year-old Jor’Dell Richardson after he ran from police investigating suspicious activity.
According to police, officers on June 1 chased a group of teenagers who ran from a convenience store near the intersection of East Eighth Avenue and Dayton Street. A gang sergeant on patrol noticed the group and asked for backup because the teens were wearing medical masks and sweatshirts, a news release from the police department said. Police took two teens into custody and others fled in a car that police said was stolen.
Two officers chased Richardson, who was armed, into an alley. According to police, one of the officers shot Richardson “during a struggle to take him into custody.”
After the shooting, investigators determined that at least one of the teenagers threatened the convenience store clerk with a gun and they took several vape canisters, according to police.
The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave while the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting.
Family members of Richardson and their lawyers watched the footage at Aurora police headquarters Tuesday, police officials and family representatives said. State law mandates that law enforcement agencies wait 72 hours after showing body camera footage to the family of someone killed by police before releasing it publicly.
Richardson’s family last week called on police to release the videos and said the 14-year-old had never been in trouble with police. He had just graduated eighth grade.

KDVR
https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-our-son-jordel-richardson (archive.ph)Hello everyone,
We are reaching out to you today with a heavy heart to share the devastating story of Jordell Richardson, a bright 14-year-old boy whose life was tragically cut short on June 1, 2023, at the hands of a police officer from the Aurora Police Department. We are desperately seeking justice for Jordell, and we need your support.
Jordell was a vibrant and promising young individual who had his whole life ahead of him. Full of life and laughter, he was the life of the party and brought joy to everyone around him. He was eagerly looking forward to starting high school and experiencing all the wonderful things that awaited him.
Despite the heartbreak we are experiencing, the circumstances surrounding Jordell's death remain shrouded in uncertainty. The police have failed to provide us with a consistent account of what transpired, leaving us with unanswered questions and a profound sense of injustice. To make matters worse, they have not contacted us since that fateful day when they arrived to inform his grieving mother.
Jordell was not a bad kid; he was simply a victim of unfortunate circumstances, associating with the wrong crowd. It is crucial to remember that he is not the demon the APD is portraying him to be. He was loved, talented, and had dreams for his future that will forever remain unfulfilled.
In our pursuit of justice, we are turning to the compassionate hearts of individuals like you who understand the value of fairness and the importance of holding those in power accountable. We humbly ask for your support in our fight for justice for Jordell.
Every donation, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference in our journey towards truth and justice. Together, we can shed light on the tragic loss of a promising young life and make a powerful statement against injustice. Let us honor Jordell's memory by standing up for what is right.
Please join us in this cause by donating and sharing our campaign with your friends, family, and social networks.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your compassion and support during this incredibly difficult time. Your kindness means the world to us.