HARNETT COUNTY, NC – A quiet Tuesday evening turned into a devastating scene when deputies responded to a deadly shooting that claimed the lives of Bishop Danny Richards and his wife, Sabrina Richards. The incident occurred at approximately 5:18 p.m. at a home on Kentucky Derby Lane in the Trotter’s Ridge neighborhood, situated between Lillington and Spout Springs, about eight miles northwest of Anderson Creek.
According to the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, and a third person sustained injuries. As of late Tuesday night, there had been no official update on the injured victim’s identity or condition.
Family members have since confirmed that the deceased were Bishop Danny Richards and Sabrina Richards. The tragedy was made even more heartbreaking by its timing—Sabrina’s life was taken on the very day friends and family had been celebrating her birthday. Sabrina, a proud alumna of Douglas Byrd High School, was known for her kindness, warmth, and devotion to her loved ones. She and Bishop Danny Richards had been married for nearly 30 years, sharing a lifetime of memories together.
The couple was well known in their community and often visited Cumberland County, enjoying strolls and meals in downtown Fayetteville. Friends describe Bishop Danny Richards as a man of strong faith, wisdom, and leadership, and Sabrina Richards as deeply loving, compassionate, and the heart of her family.
Authorities have revealed that the suspected shooter is a juvenile, believed to be a relative of the Richards family. The teen allegedly fled the residence in a gray truck immediately after the shooting. Law enforcement quickly launched a search, tracking the suspect down later the same night and taking them into custody without further incident.
KT Richards, the couple’s son, demonstrated extraordinary strength amid the chaos, keeping friends and extended family updated as events unfolded in real time. Community members have since flooded social media with prayers, condolences, and heartfelt memories of Bishop Danny Richards and Sabrina Richards, expressing disbelief over the sudden and senseless loss.
Investigators believe the shooting was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office in piecing together the timeline and motive behind the violence.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office or the SBI tip line as the investigation continues.
The Richards family, their friends, and their community now face the heartbreaking task of grieving not only the loss of Bishop Danny Richards and Sabrina Richards, but also the tragic circumstances in which they were taken.
If you want, I can also add a short memorial paragraph at the end with quotes from church members and neighbors to make it more personal and moving.
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