Tulsa World: Man questioned in double killing

MAKE US YOUR HOMEPAGE | Sunday, November 22, 2009 | WIRELESS

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Man questioned in double killing
He was a friend of one of the victim's, but police say he was never a suspect.

By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer
Published: 11/10/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 11/10/2009 5:22 AM

Police on Monday identified two men who were shot to death Saturday night and said they had interviewed the man they had sought for information about the slayings.

Jonathan Randall Rush, 22, of Tulsa and Michael Lee Dwayne Richardson, 29, of Modesto, Calif., were dead in a house at 67 N. Victor Ave. when police arrived just after 10:15 p.m. Saturday, Officer Jason Willingham said.

Police had been looking for Justin Bryant, who also is believed to be from Modesto, but they found him and interviewed him, police said Monday.

He apparently was at the house during the shooting but never was considered a suspect, police said.

Richardson's grandmother Mildred Dickinson said by phone Monday that Richardson was raised in the San Francisco Bay area and performed in a rap group.

"I did not even know he was there (in Tulsa) until I got the call yesterday," she said.

Dickinson said Bryant, who was a good friend of Richardson's, told her that they were in Tulsa to perform a concert.

She said she is desperately trying to find out why her grandson was killed.

"He was a true, good-hearted person," she said. "He stuck by his friends regardless. He was a quiet person. I know whatever happened there, he was standing up for himself."

Detective Michael Zenoni said that "at this point, it is an apparent home-invasion robbery."

Two to three people forced their way into the home. Although at least two had guns, only one person fired shots, police

said.

Tahnee Burr, who lives nearby, said she was in bed when she heard the first shot, which she thought sounded like a firecracker.

"There was a pause and then three more, 'pow, pow, pow,' " Burr said. "By that time I was kind of frantic. I ran to go check on my kids and get the phone."

She said she called 911 after she saw three people scatter from the house.

Land records show that the rental house is owned by a Tulsa police officer.

Anyone with information about the homicides is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 596-COPS, send a text message to police or submit an online tip at tulsaworld.com/crimestoppers .

The Crime Commission offers rewards for information leading to arrests, and tipsters can remain anonymous.

World staff writer Curtis Killman contributed to this story.

Nicole Marshall 581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Tulsa homicide victims identified," which was published on 11/9/2009.

	Report Comment irwindale, Tulsa (11/9/2009 10:53:49 PM) ...and who is looking out for your best interest. It is not the landlord. As those will say it is the north side. Known. Should require extra managerial attention regarding tenants. These time landlords.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/9/2009 12:56:45 PM) So the person of interest has been located and interviewed. It doesn't say but presumably released. This is really scary if this is a random home invasion/homicide. But I doubt it. Home invasions are almost always targeted hits. There has to be a specific reason why a home was selected. Something is a foot about this case. Irregardless, there are two desperately dangerous killers on the streets right now.
	Report Comment Elusive, the burbs (11/9/2009 1:37:59 PM) See, their is a connection like we thought. They are all from Modesto. It sounds like they need to speak to friends and family of those killed to find out what's up with this guy to come here to kill them.
	Report Comment HarleyRyder55, Tulsa (11/10/2009 8:42:16 AM) Elusive, did you actually read the article? It was a home invasion gone bad. The other guy from Modesto was interviewed as a possible witness, "but never was considered a suspect."
	Report Comment Bonasera the Undertaker, Brooklyn (11/9/2009 10:38:03 PM) How ironic the house is owned by a TPD officer.
	Report Comment opi8, (11/12/2009 10:02:43 PM) This was not a random home invasion. I know for a fact that there was over $20,000 in cash and over 30 lbs of high grade weed there, before the murder. A girl I know was there, sitting right beside Randy. She saw him get killed.
	Report Comment ReviTULize, (11/9/2009 1:04:12 PM) "irregardless" is not a word
	Report Comment Wulf, Tulsa area (11/10/2009 11:08:49 AM) "Irregardless" is a controversial double negative. Ironically enough, political correctness has assaulted everything but the "American" language.

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