HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- A 52-year-old man was charged in connection to the March 2021 murder of 13-year-old Lucia Bremer.
Richard M. Pierce appeared in Henrico County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Thursday on a single misdemeanor count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in connection with the gun someone else used to kill Bremer, according to Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor.
"It was determined that through the investigation, we have a firearm that was involved in this case, and we know who the lawful gun owner of that firearm to be," said Taylor.
Taylor said Pierce lawfully owned this firearm, but added that gun owners have a responsibility to make sure their firearms are secured -- especially so that they cannot be accessed by juveniles.
She said through this misdemeanor charge, her office hoped to bring about accountability and answers for the public -- and especially Bremer's family.
"It is to let the public know that, just as we had promised that we were going to investigate this matter fully. To the promise made to the Bremer’s, Lucia’s mom and dad, to figure out, again, how could a young person have access to a firearm to commit this horrible tragedy?" Taylor said.
CBS 6 Legal Analyst, Todd Stone, said it was possible Pierce could become a witness in the murder trial, and said his misdemeanor charge will help give the appearance of fairness to a jury.
"A jury is going to be wondering, well, if there's enough evidence to establish that this man somehow was negligent and allowed this gun to be in the defendants hands, why wasn't he charged with that offense?" Said Stone. "I think it could actually have a negative impact on the prosecutors murder case if he were not charged here."
Pierce is due back in court on November 1.
Taylor's office did not disclose the relationship between Pierce and the 14-year-old boy, whose name has not been released, arrested for killing Bremer.
That teen faces numerous charges including second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a juvenile, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Taylor indicated her office will attempt to charge the teenager as an adult.
Bremer was walking with a friend near Godwin High School in Henrico's West End on March 26, 2021, when someone approached the girls and shot Bremer. The 14-year-old boy was arrested the next day.
Henrico Police said that there was no connection between the teens.
The teen charged with killing Bremer previously threatened to shoot up a school, according to Taylor.
Taylor said that the social media posts about the threat were made before Bremer was murdered but not discovered by law enforcement until after she was killed.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
