Queens, NY – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the sentencing of Waturi Johnson to 24 years to life in prison for the 2021 shooting death of Uriah Richardson. Richardson, a father of three, was shot midday outside the Mott Avenue A train station in Far Rockaway. The men were strangers.
District Attorney Katz stated that Johnson shot Richardson in broad daylight on a public street before fleeing to another state, where he was later apprehended. Katz emphasized that the sentence serves as justice for Richardson and his family.
Johnson, aged 54, residing on Beach 30th Street in Far Rockaway, was convicted by a jury in June. He faced charges of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a two-week trial, after a jury deliberation of approximately four hours.
Justice Kenneth Holder sentenced Johnson to 24 years to life for the murder charge, with additional concurrent sentences of 15 years for each weapon possession charge. The incident, captured on surveillance video, occurred on October 4, 2021, at around 1 p.m. near a taxi stand close to the Mott Avenue A train station. Johnson
