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Arrest made in Richmond artist’s death in Swansboro neighborhood

Posted at 5:35 PM, Jul 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-14 18:11:36-04

RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man has been arrested in connection with the homicide of a Richmond artist on the morning of Sunday, July 10.

Shawn L. Richardson, 23, of Richmond, was taken into custody Wendesday by the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force. He has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

Shawn L. Richardson

Shawn L. Richardson

Sunday morning officers responded to the Swansboro neighborhood in the100 block of Playn Street for a report of a person down.

They located Albert “Cartoon” C. Trower, 56, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Albert Trower

Albert Trower

He was homeless at the time of his death.

Richardson has in extensive criminal record according to court documents.

In August of 2014, he was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon, his second offense. While he was sentenced to three years in prison, all three were suspended.

Richardson was arrested again in 2016 and charged with three crimes, including maliciously shooting at an occupied car, assault and battery, and violating his probation. He was scheduled for an August 9 hearing for the charges.

Albert “Cartoon” C. Trower

Trower was known for his art. In 2015, Mark Holmberg interviewed him about his gift.

“His nicknames are ‘Art-boy’ and ‘Cartoon,” Holmberg wrote in 2015. “He has a sweet portfolio of his hand-drawn depictions of celebrities and civil rights leaders, tattoo designs, his own cartoon characters and board games he has invented.”

Trower said he learned art by watching his brothers draw.

“They’d look back and say, ‘You’ll never be able to do this.’ By the time I was nine, I was running circles around them. I never lost an art contest,” he told Mark. “My goal is just to be known all across Virginia… if it goes across the country, fine. I’ll take the growth.”

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Major Crimes Detective Jon Bridges at 804 646-4494 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip.

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