Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Keyah Richardson was arraigned today on charges of attempted murder in the first degree, attempted assault in the first degree, assault, reckless endangerment and other crimes for allegedly ramming a stolen car into an NYPD officer who was investigating the theft. He is also accused of driving onto the sidewalk in North Corona and nearly hitting an adult and child with the vehicle.

District Attorney Katz said: “This defendant is accused of attempting to murder a New York City police officer with a stolen car and nearly striking an adult and child as he drove on a North Corona sidewalk. Thanks to extraordinary police work, this defendant was arrested before anyone else could be harmed. I am grateful that the injured officer is recuperating from his injuries.”

Richardson, 19, of Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn, was charged with attempted murder in the first degree; attempted murder in the second degree; attempted assault in the first degree; three counts of assault in the second degree;  three counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree; grand larceny in the third degree; criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree; grand larceny in the fourth degree; possession of burglar’s tools; two counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree; endangering the welfare of a child; reckless driving; one-way roadways and rotary traffic islands; and issuance, number, location and condition of vehicle plates.

If convicted, he faces up to 40 years to life in prison.

Judge Michael Gaffey ordered him to return to court August 23.

According to the charges:

• On August 18, at approximately 5 p.m., NYPD officers investigating a report of a stolen 2020 white Infiniti, saw Richardson sitting in a white 2020 Infiniti in front of 34-14 99^th Street in North Corona. The car had no license plates.
• Richardson was then seen driving the car in reverse and onto the sidewalk, almost hitting a young child and adult who were walking by.
• An NYPD sergeant identified himself as a police officer and ordered Richardson to stop. Instead, Richardson drove forward toward Officer Bartholomew Tully, who was walking toward the front of the Infiniti. Richardson hit Tully, who jumped onto the hood of an adjacent car.
• Richardson then sped off, hitting multiple parked cars including two unmarked police cars. He also drove the wrong way on a one-way street.
• Richardson was apprehended on the roof of 38-11 97^th Police recovered a diagnostic key programmer, which is commonly used to commit crimes including larcenies, and two license plates.
• The injured officer was taken to a hospital and treated for substantial pain to his hip, knee and ankle.

Assistant District Attorney Ryan Licciardello of the District Attorney’s Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorneys Jairo Coronado of Felony Trial Bureau II and Alyssa Glasshagel of Felony Trial Bureau III, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Michael Whitney, Bureau Chief, Roni Piplani, Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.