Who shot a former candidate for the Niagara County Legislature while he was driving a car on the I-190 in January?
The New York State Police say they are still on the case.
Trooper James O’Callaghan, a spokesperson for the state police Troop A in Batavia, said the investigation into the shooting of former Sixth District legislature candidate Dante Richardson remains “active” and “ongoing.” Due to the nature of the investigation, O’Callaghan said state police are unable to release any additional details at this time.
“We believe we are heading in the right direction,” he said.
Richardson, the endorsed Republican who lost last year’s race to Democrat Sam Faruggia, suffered three gunshot wounds during the drive-by shooting, which occurred at around 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 12.
Reports indicated that a Chevy Impala, driven by Richardson and with a female passenger who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was traveling north on the I-190 between the Ontario Street exit (14) and Sheridan Drive exit (15) of the thruway when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up alongside and a gunman fired multiple rounds into the driver’s side of the car.
Two rounds penetrated the driver’s side door, just below the door handle, and a third entered the car by the front edge of the rear driver’s side door. Multiple shots hit Richardson, but he was able to keep control of his vehicle.
Police said when Richardson complained of losing feeling in his legs, his passenger was able to climb on top of him and continue to drive the Impala toward the Falls. The passenger also called Falls police 911 operators to alert them to the shooting.
The passenger reportedly told dispatchers she was unfamiliar with the area where the shooting took place and was driving to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center because it was the only facility she knew how to locate. When Richardson and the passenger arrived at NFMMC, Falls police and investigators were waiting for them. Falls investigators secured Richardson’s car and turned the evidence from inside the vehicle over to the state police.
Weeks after the shooting, New York State Police Sgt. Jack Keller told the newspaper there was no indication of an ongoing threat to the public as a result of the incident. He said investigators were continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and would “pursue appropriate enforcement action as the investigation develops.”
State police have not released any photos or license plate information about any suspected vehicle or other details publicly, a move Keller described as “intentional” based on “investigative considerations,” including the need to locate and interview involved individuals without compromising the integrity of the case.
“While we are aware of reporting and speculation from various outlets citing unnamed sources, we caution against relying on unverified claims. The investigation is being taken seriously and continues to be actively worked in coordination with state police resources in Western New York and beyond,” Keller said.
“As with any active investigation, additional information will be released when it is appropriate and will not jeopardize ongoing efforts,” he added.
The Gazette previously reported that law enforcement sources described Richardson as being uncooperative when police arrived at NFMMC on the day of the incident. Richardson denies the assertion.
In a January interview with the newspaper, Richardson said he told investigators he believes the people who shot him may be connected to a previous place of employment. Law enforcement officials have not substantiated his claim.
Richardson also denies reports published by the local website Niagara Action, which, citing a “source familiar with the investigation,” referred to the main suspect in the case as a “known drug dealer.”
“I’m not involved in any wrongdoing,” he said. “I don’t sell drugs. I literally was at the bar with my girlfriend and her friend. I was at a bar with two females and we were driving back home and I was targeted and I was shot.”
Richardson did not respond to requests for additional comment this week.