Pinellas County, FLORIDA — Detectives assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit were called out by Patrol deputies to a trauma alert on a stabbing incident at Walsingham Park.
Upon arrival, witnesses told detectives they heard the victim, identified as 21-year-old Richard Richardson, scream he had been stabbed; and then saw him crawl from the front passenger seat across the driver’s seat and out the driver’s side door.
The witnesses said they saw the vehicle (described as a gray Prius or Honda Civic), driven by a female, back out of a parking space and flee at a high speed south through the park.
The witnesses called 911 and rendered aid to Richardson, who had a stab wound to the upper chest, -until paramedics arrived on scene. Richardson was subsequently transported by ambulance to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment of life- threatening injuries.
Detectives began their investigation and through various investigative techniques identified the woman in the vehicle as 26-year-old Erin Jackson. Detectives made contact with Jackson and her boyfriend 32-year-old Kenneth T. Hoover. Both responded to the Sheriff’s Administration Building at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo for an interview.
Detectives say Jackson admitted to the crime. She told detectives she had known Richardson for approximately one year and that he was her source for illegal drugs. According to investigators, Jackson picked up Richardson at Poor Bob’s convenience store and the two drove to the park where she would allegedly purchase drugs from him.
Detectives say that upon arrival at the park, the two engaged in an altercation at which time she stabbed him with her pocket knife. Jackson told deputies Richardson was not armed and did not make any threatening statements to her.
Hoover told detectives Jackson called him and said she had been attacked. He admitted to assisting Jackson with a change of clothes and helping her clean out the vehicle.
Jackson was arrested for attempted murder in the second degree and transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident.
Hoover was arrested for accessory after the fact and transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident.
The weapon was recovered at the scene.
The investigation continues.
