Police Seek Suspect in Crime Activist’s Slaying

Los Angeles police continued Thursday to search for a suspect in the killing of James Richards, a Venice area community activist who published an anti-crime newsletter on the Internet and was actively involved in police sponsored neighborhood groups.

“We have nothing new on this one,” said Lt. Thomas E. Kirk of the LAPD’s Pacific Division. “We’re looking hard though, very hard. And we’re confident about finding who committed the crime.”

Richards, 55, was gunned down in front of his home, in the 500 block of Vernon Avenue, as he returned from a workout at a 24-hour gym in the early morning Wednesday.

The Venice resident, a house painter and property manager, was well known in his community for a largely self-written newsletter updating residents on local crime. A zealous participant in police neighborhood watch programs, Richards was also known to watch suspected drug corners, attempting to take photos of illegal transactions.

Some Venice residents said Thursday that it was common knowledge in the neighborhood that threats had made on Richards’ life.