Ann Arbor police responded to a fatal shooting on December 7, 2025, around 1:20 p.m. at an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Pear Street. Seventeen year old Chikylah Richardson of Pittsfield Township was found inside a unit with a fatal gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene. The incident, believed to be isolated and targeted, marks the city’s second homicide of the year following a September shooting.
A K9 unit recovered a firearm suspected in the attack during the initial search, while the unidentified 17 year old male suspect fled before officers arrived. He was arrested without incident around 11 a.m. on December 8 outside Ann Arbor during a scheduled probation meeting, confirming he knew Richardson. The case heads to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office for review amid an active investigation.
Chikylah Richardson, a junior at a local high school, balanced academics with extracurriculars including track and field where she competed in regional meets. Born and raised in Pittsfield Township, she pursued honors courses in English and volunteered at community literacy programs during summers. Her family life centered on close ties with parents and two younger siblings, often joining weekend outings to nearby parks.
Professionally inclined toward journalism, Richardson contributed to her school newspaper covering youth issues and dreamed of studying communications at Michigan State University after graduation. Colleagues at the paper praised her insightful writing on mental health topics, reflecting a thoughtful approach shaped by family discussions around the dinner table.
In her personal life, Richardson embraced a vibrant routine of early morning jogs along the Huron River and evening baking sessions with her mother, crafting treats for school fundraisers. Hobbies included photography, capturing urban landscapes during family drives, and journaling poetry that she shared privately with close friends.
As Ann Arbor processes this loss, school counselors provide support for grieving peers, honoring Richardson’s legacy of curiosity and kindness through planned memorials.