A judge has acquitted Marion Richardson of second-degree murder charges in the 2022 shooting death of 16-year-old Seandell Holliday near Chicago’s Millennium Park. The incident, which unfolded during a large gathering of teenagers near The Bean, sparked citywide debate over public safety and led to stricter security measures in the park.
Richardson, now 19, was charged as an adult with two counts of second-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm following the chaotic altercation on May 14, 2022. During the bench trial, Judge Carol Howard ruled on November 14, 2024, that prosecutors had not met the burden of proof to convict Richardson of murder or battery, though she did find him guilty of unlawful use of a weapon.
The Incident
The confrontation was partially captured in social media videos. Richardson, then 17, was seen in an orange hoodie and ski mask walking near The Bean, surrounded by a group of teens and preteens. The footage shows Seandell Holliday jumping onto Richardson’s back while another teen appears to throw a punch. Amid the chaos, a gunshot rang out, prompting panic as the crowd scattered.
Holliday suffered a fatal gunshot wound, with graphic videos showing him bleeding heavily. Police on the scene reported seeing Richardson drop a handgun, pick it back up, and flee before being apprehended nearby.
Judge’s Rationale
During the trial, Judge Howard reviewed video footage, police bodycam recordings, and testimony from officers and witnesses. She found the evidence insufficient to determine who fired the fatal shot or whether Richardson had acted unlawfully in self-defense.
“It is as likely that Mr. Holliday had the gun and it accidentally went off when he was tussling with Mr. Richardson as it is that Mr. Richardson had the gun,” Howard said. She also pointed out inconsistencies in the trajectory of the bullet and noted that Richardson and his girlfriend had tried multiple times to evade the group before the altercation.
Although Richardson was found guilty of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, Howard determined that the prosecution failed to prove the elements of second-degree murder or aggravated battery beyond a reasonable doubt.
Fallout and Sentencing
The shooting prompted significant changes in Millennium Park’s security policies, including restrictions on unaccompanied minors and the installation of metal detectors and security fencing. These measures remain in place today.
Richardson, who had been under electronic monitoring since December 2022, was taken into custody following the acquittal on the murder charges. Judge Howard denied requests to reinstate electronic monitoring or place him in juvenile detention, ordering him to remain in Cook County Jail until sentencing next month.
The acquittal has reignited discussions about public safety, youth gatherings, and the complexities of prosecuting violent incidents in chaotic settings. Richardson’s sentencing for the weapons charges will be closely watched as the community grapples with the broader implications of the case.
