The third and final suspect in a near-deadly “drug rip” is behind bars after a short chase and standoff last Wednesday, November 22, 2023. He was wanted for attempted murder, robbery, and other serious felonies. His two alleged co-conspirators have already been apprehended.

Paid Advertisement

According to Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Jessica Krejcarek Kenosha Police Special Investigations Unit became aware that 17-year-old Kamarion J. Richards was in an apartment complex in the 1500 block 60th st. They posted up outside the complex to wait for Richards to exit. Richards exited and walked towards an alley. Police officers with multiple departments then gave chase. Richards ended up back at the apartment and his girlfriend, Uhnaste Handford, opened the secure door to the apartment to allow Richards to make it inside. She then pulled it closed just before police reached the door. Police could have forced entry, but in an abundance of caution petitioned a judge and were granted a warrant to go inside the complex where Richards was arrested.

Paid Advertisement

Handford has not yet been charged criminally, but she appeared today in custody for a bail-only hearing. She got arrested on the worst day of the year – the day before Thanksgiving. She spent five nights in jail, but a court commissioner did find probable cause over the weekend to hold Handford for more than the maximum of 48 hours.

Paid Advertisement

Kenosha Assistant District Attorney Jessica Krejcarek said of Handford “At this point, the anticipated charges are going to be aiding or harboring a felon, given what [Richards is] charged with, a class B Felony for first degree attempted homicide for the shooting…she is also currently out on bond for a disorderly conduct, so there will be bail jumping [charges.] Potentially obstruction.” According to Krejcarek, Handford allowed her boyfriend to live with her for at least three weeks while he was on the run. She sent him a screenshot of his warrant from CCAP that showed what he was charged with. She also sent him cab rides so he could travel without being detected by law enforcement.

Paid Advertisement

Handford, although only 18, does have a juvenile conviction record of battery and disorderly conduct. She is also on bail for a seperate criminal case. Krejcarek asked the commissioner for a $20,000 cash bail.

Paid Advertisement

Defense Attorney Daniel Slapczynski asked the court for a low cash bail, citing his client’s role as a caregiver for her mother’s children while her mother is in jail. He also cited Handford’s ties to the community.

Paid Advertisement

Kenosha County Court Commissioner William Michel II sided with Handford and set her bail at only $2,500 cash.

Richards made his initial appearance today minutes after his girlfriend’s bail hearing.

According to the criminal complaint, police responded to a shooting on September 21, 2023 at 10:30 pm. Upon arrival, officers found the victim covered in blood and asking the officers to hurry. Police asked him who shot him and he said “Larry Marion.” The victim’s jacket was covered in bullet holes and soaked in blood. It also had 29 grams of marijuana in the inside jacket.

Officers entered the house and found several 9mm shell castings. The victim’s girlfriend told police what she observed. She said that Larry Johnson arrived at the house and soon thereafter pulled out a gun and put it to the back of the the victim’s friend’s head, saying “Give me everything you got!” The victim and Johnson get into a physical fight over control of the gun, which spilled out into the hallway. Johnson then pointed the gun at the victim’s abdomen and fired a shot. Then the victim was on the ground, Johnson stood over him and fired again at his upper-torso. The victim then yelled that he had been shot and needed to get to the hospital.

The investigation concluded that Johnson set up a purchase of an ounce of marijuana from the victim and the robbery was planned. The victim was shot in the collarbone area and face. He had bullet wounds to his clavicle, chin, right shoulder, upper middle back, a shattered jaw bone and a laceration to his forehead. He survived the shooting.

Police located the driver, Xzarion Smith who initially stated he had been home at the time of the shooting. When detectives continued to question him Smith asked for some time to think about cooperating. After giving Smith some time, he then stated, “Alright I’ll tell you, but I don’t want to be in nobody’s paperwork.” Smith then stated that Johnson asked to borrow his car but he does not trust Johnson so he told him no and instead offered to drive him. Smith then stated they picked up a person he knows named, “Monkey” (Richards). Smith stated that he knew Johnson had wanted to borrow Smith’s vehicle to do what he did, “the little sting he tried to pull off but it didn’t go so well.” Defendant Smith stated by sting he meant robbery. Smith then stated he did not know a robbery was going to happen until he heard some shots and that it was not supposed to go like that. Smith stated they picked up Noah and then minutes later he dropped Noah and Johnson off in the alleyway and parked in front of the residence with he and “Monkey” in the car. Defendant Smith stated they then heard some shots and Defendant Johnson ran to the car. Defendant Johnson stated it was not supposed to go like that, and that he went upstairs and there was another dude and girl in there. Defendant Smith then stated that Johnson told him that Noah was the aggressor and Johnson smacked Noah in the face and then shot him twice in the chest and ran. Smith stated that this was basically a robbery over some weed where Noah was the target, but he did not think Defendant Johnson actually got anything. Johnson was taken into custody after a short standoff, where he didn’t respond to officers’ commands.

After the shooting Richards posted the firearm on social media trying to sell it as a “hot” gun. Richards also posted on social media that he “hoped someone dies on the [operating] table.”

Kenosha Assistant District Attorney Jessica Krejcarek asked the court for a $100,000 cash bail and Court Commissioner William Michel II agreed and set the cash bail at $100,000.