Suspect Admits Guilt in Bombing of Brooklyn Park Bingo Hall
A man from Washington D.C., identified as Andre Richardson, aged 42, has confessed to causing an explosion at Bingo World in Brooklyn Park, Maryland, that left eight individuals injured.
On Friday, in an Anne Arundel County courtroom, Richardson admitted guilt to one felony charge of using a destructive device, as reported by The Capital Gazette. Initially, he was facing 14 charges regarding the July 5 incident.
Working for a moving company, Richardson was apprehended in late August after being identified through the bingo hall’s security footage.
The footage displayed him positioning a device he attempted to ignite several times between two electronic bingo machines. Subsequently, he stepped away from the area. A wisp of smoke appeared, followed by an explosion.
Thankfully, no one was killed in the blast. Two victims required urgent hospital treatment, while six more had minor injuries, according to court documents. Three electronic bingo machines, valued at approximately $7,000 each, were damaged.
Security cameras recorded the suspect fleeing the premises but did not manage to capture his license plate.
Investigators found Richardson easy to identify, thanks to his gold-rimmed glasses and a T-shirt bearing the local moving company’s logo.
‘Dangerous Threat’
At a bond hearing in October, Judge Glenn L. Klavens deemed Richardson a "dangerous threat" to public safety. This assessment was made after state prosecutors claimed his actions had "intimidated" patrons at the bingo hall, as reported by the Gazette.
Richardson’s attorney, Denis O’Connell, a public defender, described the event as a "momentary lapse of judgment" and implied the explosive device, yet to be identified in media reports, was merely a "firecracker."
The reason behind Richardson's act of detonation remains unknown. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 13, facing up to 25 years in prison and fines of up to $250K.
Bingo World is one of the three licensed commercial bingo operations in Anne Arundel County. In August, just weeks after the explosion, it became the first non-casino facility to offer sports betting upon opening the BetRivers sports book and lounge.
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