Father Arrested in 4-Year old Shooting Death: UPDATE!!

A.J. Pike 

UPDATE: Roland Richardson III, who is employed as a firearm instructor, pleaded Not Guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges and other related charges, in the accidental shooting death of his 4-year old son, Jeziah Azir Richardson. VIPD has stated thar the gunshot wound, that killed the young boy, was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

St. Croix - The father of 4-year old Jeziah Azir Richardson, who died from a gunshot wound on July 16, 2026, under suspicious circumstances, was arrested by VIPD and charged with involuntary manslaughter among other criminal child-related offenses. 

Following a thorough investigation, the VIPD is now describing the fatal incident as an accidental shooting and charging the boy’s father 27-year old Roland Richardson III with involuntary manslaughter, child neglect, child abuse, and aggravated child abuse and neglect.      

Mr. Richarson was arrested on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Bail was set at $50,000.  He was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility pending his advice of rights hearing. 

Although the VIPD did not provide any additional information about how the shooting occurred, the incident was originally reported on July 16, 2026 at around 7 pm when the St. Croix 911 Emergency Call Center received an initial report that a 4-year old child was shot and subsequently transported to Juan F. Luis Hospital for emergency medical treatment. ER personnel worked feverishly to save the boy’s life but he ultimately died from his injuries. 

At the time, the VIPD extended condolences to Jeziah’s family and loved ones following the tragedy.