A 22-year-old Delaware man was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 3, for his alleged role in a wild pool party in Bustleton that ended with two women being shot.
Joseph Richardson, of Newark, Delaware, was charged with illegal beer and alcohol sales, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct, police said. All of the charges are misdemeanors.
Richardson is not implicated in the shooting itself. Authorities say he organized and promoted the party, which attracted hundreds of people, Aug. 3 on the 9100 block of Verree Road at a house with a large backyard and swimming pool.
Police said officers were speaking to Richardson when they heard multiple shots ring out from the back of the property. Officers had responded to various calls to the house throughout the day
A 22-year-old woman nearly died after being shot in the thigh, which caused bleeding to her femoral artery. Officers applied a tourniquet and performed CPR to save her life as she went in and out of consciousness on the way to the hospital.
In addition, a 20-year-old woman suffered minor injuries when she was shot in the calf.
No arrests have been made in relation to the shooting. Police were not able to identify the shooter in the chaos that followed the gunfire.
More than 200 people attended a special Bustleton Civic League meeting Aug. 8 that was held in response to the shooting. At that time, police department officials promised the crowd that authorities were pursuing criminal and civil cases against people affiliated with the party.
In addition to alcohol, the catered party featured a moonbounce, disc jockey and more. An Instagram flier promoting the event advertised a twerk contest, film crew, water guns and a cover charge.
At the Aug. 8 meeting, residents questioned how police handled the situation. Capt. Bob Ritchie, commander of the 7th District, said he was conducting an internal review of the situation and suggested that officers at the scene and 911 dispatchers would be subject to disciplinary action. ••
