Henrico County – A grieving mother is urging local gun owners to reevaluate how they store firearms after her 5‑year‑old son, Qatif Richardson, was fatally shot on Oct. 24. Richardson, who lives in the eastern part of the county, said the tragedy unfolded while she was at a friend’s apartment for a beauty appointment.
Events leading up to the shooting
According to Richardson, she and Qatif had spent the morning running errands, including a stop at a local convenience store where the boy bought his favorite M&Ms. Afterward, they traveled to the apartment complex where the woman who was to do Richardson’s lashes lived. The woman’s boyfriend, Steven Blakeney, let them inside.
While Richardson was preparing to pay for the service, she heard a loud “boom” and found her son on the floor in a pool of blood. Police later determined that Qatif had accidentally discharged a handgun that had been left within his reach.
Police findings and charges
Henrico Police confirmed that the firearm belonged to Blakeney. The department charged him with two misdemeanor offenses: improper storage of a firearm and allowing a child access to a firearm. Investigators noted that the gun was reportedly left on a couch, unsecured, and within easy reach of the child.
On Thursday, a Henrico Circuit Court judge set Blakeney’s bond at $10,000. Conditions of his release include surrendering any firearms, wearing an electronic monitoring device, and having no contact with anyone under 18. CBS 6 legal analyst Todd Stone said the bond amount and conditions are typical for misdemeanor firearm‑storage cases, emphasizing that bond is intended to ensure appearance in court rather than to punish.
Mother’s call for accountability
Richardson expressed profound anguish, asking why the gun was left unattended. “Why didn’t you put your gun up? Why leave it on the couch?” she asked, her voice shaking with grief. She added that the thought of Blakeney spending the holidays with his family is especially painful, as her own son will not be there for the holidays.
She hopes Qatif’s story will prompt other gun owners in Henrico to take extra precautions. “I want other parents to think about how they store their weapons so this never happens again,” Richardson said.
Community response
The incident has sparked conversation among local residents about gun safety and responsible ownership. While some community members have expressed sympathy for the family, others have called for stricter enforcement of existing storage laws.
Henrico County Sheriff’s Office has reiterated that Virginia law requires firearms to be stored in a manner that prevents access by minors. The department encourages owners to use lock boxes, safes, or trigger locks, and to keep ammunition stored separately.
Resources for grieving families
Local counseling services, including the Henrico County Department of Human Services, are offering support to families coping with loss. Richardson, who has three other children, said she is receiving help but continues to miss her son every day.
As the case proceeds through the courts, Richardson’s plea remains clear: better gun storage could save lives.
Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
