Peoria, Ill. – A 20-year-old woman has been sentenced to 31 years in prison for shooting her boyfriend during an argument last year. Tnashia Wash, then a teenager, fired six shots at 30-year-old Roderick Richardson on October 16, 2023, leaving four bullets embedded in his back, according to prosecutors.
Details of the Shooting
Wash and Richardson were involved in a dispute at his home, where Wash and her child were staying. She admitted to firing the gun but claimed self-defense, stating Richardson had threatened her and her child and “charged” at her.
However, an autopsy revealed that four of the six shots struck Richardson in the back, inconsistent with Wash’s self-defense claim. The shots were not fired at close range, according to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Wash eventually pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in June 2024, shortly before her trial was set to begin. Chief Judge Katherine Gorman handed down a 31-year prison sentence, with eligibility for parole after 20 years due to Wash’s young age at the time of the crime.
Impact on the Victim’s Family
At the sentencing hearing, Richardson’s mother read a letter describing the immense grief caused by her son’s death.
“She didn’t just take her son’s life but shattered our family and left a permanent hole that can never be repaired,” she wrote.
What are your thoughts on the sentencing and self-defense claims in cases like this? Share your perspective in the comments below.
