Young Richmond man found guilty of murder, attempted murder in downtown shootings

RICHMOND, Ind. — A Wayne Circuit Court jury found a 20-year-old Richmond man guilty of murder and attempted murder.

The trial last week of Rickey Porter ended with convictions on both charges, stemming from the April 2022 shootings of two teenagers in downtown Richmond.

The murder conviction carries a maximum 65-year sentence, while attempted murder is a Level 1 felony carrying up to 40 years in prison. Judge April Drake set sentencing for June 3.

When he was arrested more than two years ago, Richmond police said Porter, then 18, fired the shots from the passenger seat of a Toyota Camry at Eighth and A streets.

More: 18-year-old accused of murder in downtown Richmond shooting that killed teen

Nathaniel Joe Reed, 18, of Richmond, died at Reid Hospital after being shot multiple times. Police said shortly before being gunned down, Reed had stopped his Chevrolet Impala, got out of the vehicle and spoke to the occupants of the Camry, with whom he was acquainted.

Reed was shot as he returned to his vehicle.

The attempted murder charge stemmed from the wounding of another 18-year-old Richmond resident, who was a passenger in Reed's car.

Evidence in the case included surveillance video from a nearby building and a vehicle that was also traveling on Eighth Street.

Porter still faces an armed robbery charge filed against him in June 2021.

In that case, he and a co-defendant were accused of robbing another man at gunpoint, taking money and firearms from the victim.

Porter's trial in that case is set for June 18, also in Wayne Circuit Court.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Richmond man, 20, found guilty of murder, attempted murder.