The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office ruled that Longmont police Officer Kristopher Ford was legally justified in using force during a non-lethal shooting back in May.
Ford shot Richardson on May 8 after he reportedly assaulted a woman and threatened officers with a knife. Other officers also used less-than-lethal rounds on Richardson during his arrest. According to a letter issued Monday, the DA’s Office ruled that “(Ford’s) actions were objectively reasonable in preventing the imminent use of unlawful force on (the women), law enforcement officers, and any other individuals who may have been inside the apartment building.”
“Based on our review of the investigation, these law enforcement officers were justified in using force against Mr. Richardson.” said District Attorney Michael Dougherty. “They moved quickly and bravely in response to a serious and quickly evolving threat.”
According to Longmont Public Safety spokeswoman Robin Ericson, Ford has been cleared to return to duty.
At 1:37 p.m. May 8, a woman called 911 to report that Lorenzo Devon Richardson, 29, assaulted her outside of her apartment at 1303 Coffman Street, according to the release.
The incident was captured on a ring camera.
A woman reported that just before the assault she heard yelling and screaming coming from Unit no. 1, where another woman resided along with Richardson.
The woman reported to dispatch that Richardson was back in his apartment assaulting the other woman.
Upon arrival, police recognized Richardson walking across Mountain View Avenue and ordered him to stop, but Richardson refused.
Additionally, Richardson was challenging officers to “bring everything because he was going to hurt or kill them.” and the officers would be “down on their knees begging for forgiveness before him”, according to the release.
According to the release, Richardson then drew a large knife with his right hand. The knife had a brass-knuckle and the blade was around 7.6 inches.
Officers issued multiple commands for Richardson to stop and drop the knife. When Richardson still refused, police fired four less than lethal rounds at Richardson.
He still refused to comply and instead began running to the apartment with the knife still in hand, according to the release.
As Richardson sprinted toward the apartment, an officer fired three shots just as Richardson reached the apartment building, where the woman residing with Richardson was later confirmed to still be inside.
Richardson then fell to the ground, injured, but continued refusing commands to drop the knife so that officers could provide medical aid.
Again, officers used less-than-lethal rounds on Richardson, who then dropped the knife. According to the release, he continued to be verbally aggressive with police and spat on the officers rendering medical aid.
At the time of the incident, Richardson had pending cases and “had been ordered to receive competency evaluations and competency restoration treatment to the community.”
Richardson, 29, has been charged with five counts of menacing, three counts of assault of a first responder, third-degree assault, violation of a protection order, and obstructing a peace officer.
Richardson is set for a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. on July 15 and is currently being held on a $500,000 bond, according to court records.
Dougherty will conduct a town hall via Microsoft Teams at 1:30 pm.. Friday.
Questions can be submitted in advance via email to boulderda@bouldercounty.gov. To join the community town hall, visit bit.ly/LongmontPDMayOISTownHall. To view the Boulder District Attorney’s Office full decision letter, visit bouldercounty.gov/district-attorney/officer-involved-shooting-decision-letters/.
