Nephew says Michael “Cat” Richards was hard working and ambitious

A relative of Michael “Cat” Richards has described the murdered man as a quiet, hardworking and ambitious individual.

Richards, a 47 year-old businessman of Ottley Hall died in a hail of gunfire sometime before 10 p.m. on Friday April 14, 2023 in Queen’s Drive when two hooded gunmen shot him.

Reports are that Richards was standing in the doorway of his liquor and provision shop in Queen’s Drive when he was attacked. He died on the spot.

Romano Richards, the dead man’s nephew, said family members referred to the deceased as “White Man” and he was originally from New Montrose. He is the father of two daughters and has two grandchildren and a step daughter.
 
“My uncle had the most interesting sense of humor. The majority of my family members have a great sense of humor, but my uncle’s was by far the best.
 
“He was my father figure growing up when I lived with my grandmother (deceased) and hearing of his death broke me down in pieces. I haven’t slept since then,” Romano told SEARCHLIGHT on Monday while adding that his uncle’s wife Cynthia is grieving.
 
He added, “no one deserves that kind of death, but I’ll tell you, I leave everything in the hands of almighty God for my reward is in his hands.”
 
The bereaved nephew said it is not easy losing someone to the cold clutches of death and he cannot imagine what the deceased man’s wife is going through.
 
“May almighty God grant him eternal rest and may light perpetual shine on him,” Romano said.

Richards’s death came four days after the Pole Yard, Arnos Vale shooting of Jomo “Top Dog” Brudy and three days after Brudy’s death.

Brudy, a popular vendor was shot at around 7.30 p.m. on Monday April 10 while sitting on a bench outside a shop he operated in Pole Yard. He died one day later on Tuesday April 11 at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH).

Originally from Edinboro, the father of three girls was liming outside his shop, which is located on the opposite side of his home, when a masked gunman walked up to him and fired about 18 shots before disappearing.

The outspoken vendor was struck in his shoulder, neck, chest and abdomen among other places and this was his fourth time being shot.

John “Dan Dada” Dallaway, also of Pole Yard but originally from Georgetown was shot in his upper left thigh during the same incident but survived.

Anyone with information that can assist is asked to contact the police.