1 arrested, 4 hurt in hourslong crime spree in Kzoo

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — The man who allegedly attacked four people in an hourslong crime spree in Kalamazoo is facing multiple charges, the prosecutor’s office said.

According to the prosecutor’s office, 33-year-old William Sylvester Richardson of Schoolcraft will be facing three counts of assault with intent to murder, two counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer and one count of aggravated assault for the hours-long crime spree that began Thursday night.

His arraignment date has not been set. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Officers with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety were first notified about the crime spree around 10:10 p.m. on Thursday when they were sent to the area of E. Michigan Avenue and W Main Street for a stabbing.

Responding officers learned that a person, later identified as Richardson, approached a group of people and attacked two of them with a knife. KDPS said two women, 34 and 38, were taken to the hospital with serious injuries to their heads and necks.

While officers were working to review video footage and identify the suspect, a 25-year-old woman reported that she had been punched in the face by the person while walking on the Kalamazoo Mall just before 10 p.m.

A few hours later, around 3:45 a.m., a fourth victim, a 51-year-old man, arrived at Bronson Hospital with a serious stab wound to the shoulder, KDPS said. The man reported being stabbed by the same man while he was in Bronson Park.

One of the victims has already been released from the hospital. The others are “expected to make a full recovery,” KDPS Chief David Boysen said.

While officers were continuing their investigation, they were told that Richardson had been seen in the area of Water Street and the Kalamazoo Mall. When officers arrived, he ran away and officers followed.

“It wasn’t terribly long,” Boysen said. “Officers chased him through the area, I believe northbound, (and) were able to catch up with him in a cruiser, and the cruiser struck the suspect and officers were able to take them into custody.”

Richardson was taken to the hospital. Once he is released from the hospital, he will be held in the Kalamazoo County Jail.

KDPS said all the information officers have gathered indicates that Richardson acted alone and they aren’t looking for anyone else involved.

The Michigan State Police is investigating the man’s arrest due to the force used with the patrol vehicle, KDPS said. The officer involved was put on paid administrative leave pending review by the KDPS Office of Professional Standards, which is standard protocol.

Anyone with information is asked to call KDPS at 269.337.8139 or Silent Observer at 269.343.2100.

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