On July 30, 2018, 36-year-old James D. JJ Richardson Jr., a Black man, was fatally shot at the Bull Creek Apartments in Columbus, Georgia. Neighbors describe a burst of gunfire that night; Richardson was found dead after being shot inside his apartment’s dining room and foyer.

The investigation identified Cyrus Howard Sr. as the suspect. Prosecutors say Howard went to Richardson’s home, shot him after Richardson opened the door, followed him into the foyer and dining room while continuing to fire until the gun was empty. Howard told jurors he understood that shooting and killing Richardson was a crime.

Howard was arrested and charged with murder; his November 2022 trial produced testimony summarizing his account and led to a conviction. Does anyone have additional information about James Richardson Jr., his life in Columbus, or the Bull Creek Apartments community that could add context to this case?