A shocking video has been released showing a chaotic scene in Queens, New York City, where a 19-year-old suspect, Keyah Richardson, slammed a stolen car into several vehicles and hit a police officer before attempting to flee on foot. The incident, captured on bodycam footage from the NYPD, unfolded on a Sunday evening around 5 p.m.
The video begins with police attempting to pull over Richardson, who was driving a stolen white sedan. Instead of complying with the officers, Richardson recklessly backs up the sedan at high speed, causing chaos on the street. He clips another car, rolls over a traffic cone, and ultimately crashes into the metal shutters of a building, narrowly missing a mother and her small child who were walking nearby.
As the police officer tries to confront Richardson, the situation escalates quickly. Richardson accelerates in reverse, endangering the lives of those around him. The officer is forced to draw his gun and shout commands, but Richardson ignores them and speeds away against traffic down a one-way street.
During his escape, Richardson strikes another officer, pinning him between his car and a parked vehicle. The stolen sedan continues to wreak havoc, smashing into several vehicles along the narrow street. Despite the chaos, Richardson manages to ditch the car a few blocks away and attempts to evade the police by fleeing through a subway platform.
The NYPD, determined not to let Richardson escape after his violent actions, gives chase. Richardson is seen running onto a street before climbing a ladder to scale the roof of a building. He then jumps onto a second roof, where he is eventually trapped and captured by police. Aerial footage shows several officers arresting Richardson atop the roof, with additional officers overhead on a tower ladder.
Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry praised the NYPD’s efforts in apprehending Richardson, stating that their use of aviation units and the Emergency Services Unit was crucial in ending the suspect’s criminal rampage. The officer who was hit by the sedan was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital.
Richardson, a resident of Brooklyn, now faces a slew of charges, including attempted aggravated murder, reckless endangerment, vehicular assault, possession of burglar tools, and criminal possession of a weapon. Despite having no prior arrests, Richardson’s reckless actions have landed him in serious legal trouble.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face daily and the importance of swift and effective police work in apprehending dangerous criminals. The NYPD’s dedication to protecting the community and ensuring the safety of its officers is evident in their successful apprehension of Richardson.