Man Accidentally Shot and Killed by Best Friend

In Fernandina Beach, Florida, a man was accidentally shot and killed by his 25-year-old best friend Ty William Richardson. Police described Richardson as “distraught” at the scene, and he said “…that he had just killed his best friend.” “He continued by saying they were playing around with ‘them,’ and that he never should have put that gun in his hand, and that it just went off.”

Another roommate told police that Richardson and the victim knew each other for about 14 years and “did everything together.” They co-owned the property where the shooting occurred. They both worked at a restaurant, and returned home together the night of the shooting. The roommate said he heard two loud bangs and then found the victim on the kitchen floor bleeding from his head while Richardson called 911.

Richardson was charged with manslaughter. Police observed Richardson sitting in an interview room talking to himself, “Please be strong and make, so I can say I’m sorry.” He also continued saying he was “so, so sorry.” There is ongoing investigation into the shooting.

Source:

Aydian Ahmad, “Man Arrested in Fatal Fernandina Beach Shooting Said Victim Was his Best Friend, Claims Incident was Accidental,” news4jax.com (January 14, 2026).