Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
  - Robbery/Homicide Unit
 Patrol Operations Bureau
 Support Services Bureau
  -Forensic Science Division

Chase Richardson (Deceased)
DOB: 12/26/1995
6881 40^th Avenue North, Savannah House, in St. Petersburg

Home owners (burglary victims) have requested to remain confidential under Amendment 6.

What:
Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit are investigating the fatal stabbing of a man in unincorporated St. Petersburg after he committed a burglary to an occupied dwelling.

When:
The incident occurred at about 4:59 a.m. on October 14, 2019.

Where:
The incident occurred at the 4000 block of 68 Street North in St. Petersburg.

How/Why:
At about 4:59 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 4000 block of 68^th Street for a subject banging on doors and windows of numerous residences.

According to investigators, 23-year-old Chase Richardson was a resident at the Savannah Group home, located at 6881 40^th Avenue North in St. Petersburg. Richardson, who has some mental disabilities, got into a verbal confrontation with another group home resident early this morning.

Staff separated the two residents and Richardson, who was agitated, went into his room, slamming his door and locking it. Staff were eventually able to unlock the door, but Richardson had already escaped the home by crawling out his bedroom window. A staff member left the group home in an effort to locate Richardson.

Meanwhile, Richardson had gone one block east to 68^th Street North. Deputies received multiple 9-1-1 calls about an unknown male banging on the doors and windows of local residents and yelling erratically.

After yelling and banging on several homes, Richardson was eventually confronted by a male homeowner, who yelled to Richardson through his front sliding glass doors to leave as Richardson was beating his fists on the doors. Richardson left but went to the side of the house where he broke through the master bedroom window. The wife fled the bedroom and the male homeowner, fearing for his family’s safety, stabbed Richardson as he attempted to enter through the bedroom’s window.

Richardson, who was wounded, retreated to 40^th Avenue where he approached the staff member’s car that was looking for him. Richardson collapsed in the street as the first deputy arrived to the 9-1-1 calls.

Richardson was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced decease at 5:33 a.m.

No criminal charges are anticipated.

The investigation continues.