NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Candles are multiplying in front of Richardson's restaurant on Highland Avenue in Niagara Falls as the news of the passing of community leader and restaurant owner Jessie Richardson spreads.
On Thursday, 2 On Your Side heard from several members of Richardson's family.
His wife, grandson and granddaughter all say that Richardson was a proud family man and was looking forward to Christmas.
"My kids woke up Christmas morning asking for him, he usually puts the gifts together because I'm not handy dandy so he would put the gifts together and come play with them for a while he was about to make roast because we love our roast and he was supposed to do all those things," said Geria Hunt, Richardson's granddaughter.
Not only did Richardson run a successful restaurant in his name, he also worked hard to keep kids off the street.
"He would mentor them and tell them don't be out there get a job he was like don't go out there doing the wrong thing," said Priscilla Richardson, his wife.
His family says on Monday, Richardson was at his home on Calumet Ave and they believe there was a home invasion in which Richardson was shot.
Family members say they found him dead Tuesday with his gun in his hand and they believe he was attempting to defend himself.
"The first thing I saw on the floor when I came in was the karaoke machine on the floor and I walked over it and I just ran to the back," Geria Hunt said.
His family says in the past, Richardson was robbed multiple times at his business and his home.
"He was definitely set up, there's police reports on this there's police reports on him he had called police many times, and he had gotten paranoid and he was afraid for his life," Priscilla Richardson said.
According to the family, police were never able to find any leads. Police say they are investigating Richardson's death as a homicide, unless there's any other information to leads them in a different direction.
The community is in shock.
"I couldn’t believe it because he was such a good guy, he didn’t mean no harm. Like I said, he tried to help all the youth stay out of trouble and mentor them," friend Eric Daugherty said.
Police responded to his home on Calumet Avenue on Tuesday morning, where they found him on his bedroom floor.
"Well, it’s very devastating to our community. Such a wonderful pillar in our community, entrepreneur, just it’s just saddening for our community," said Darlene Betton, who said she's known Richardson her entire life.
Police say the 69-year-old had worked at his restaurant the day before.
People who live nearby the restaurant say it's been there for more than 50 years. They say they were shocked to hear about his passing. Many said they will miss seeing him grilling along Highland Avenue.
Mayor Paul Dyster offered a statement about his passing saying in part, "I offer my deepest sympathies and most sincere hopes that his legacy in the community will long be remembered and honored."
Added Betton: "Just sad. Just a sad time around the holiday season, a man not deserving what he got."
Niagara Falls Police have not released a cause of death. They say the case is being investigated as a homicide until evidence is discovered to the contrary.
An autopsy will be performed but is not yet scheduled.
