John Ellis Richey

John Ellis Richey was a 27-year-old Black man from Phoenix, Arizona. Family records show he was the nephew of Robert Michael Richey, a former football player for the Washington Redskins.

On the evening of January 6, 2016, an argument broke out near Tuckey Lane and 17th Street in Phoenix. According to police, the dispute occurred around 9:45 p.m. and involved John and an unidentified man. The argument escalated into an exchange of gunfire between the two men.

John was shot during the shootout. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators believe the other man involved in the incident was also shot before he fled the scene.

Phoenix police are searching for a suspect described as a Black male, approximately 34 years old. He was said to be about 5’9” tall and 220 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, and a goatee. The case remains unsolved, and authorities have asked that anyone with information call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.