Former cop accused of fatally shooting wife and stepdaughter who were allegedly trying to escape abuse

HENRICO, Va. (TCD) -- A woman and her daughter were fatally shot last week as they were reportedly in the middle of moving out of their home to escape an abusive situation.

On July 2, Henrico Police announced officers and members of the fire department responded to a shots fired call at a residence on Phillips Woods Drive and "encouraged" neighbors to stay inside their homes. Officers reportedly heard gunfire coming from inside and said two males "ran from the residence when gunfire erupted" and made it to safety.

Law enforcement officials eventually took Richard Crowder into custody at 6:24 p.m. following a standoff with police. When officials went inside the home, they reportedly found two females deceased, who they identified as Diane Crowder and Carrie Szaksz.

According to Henrico Police, Richard Crowder formerly worked for the Henrico County Police Division and retired in 2014. He was booked into the Henrico County Jail on two counts of second-degree murder, three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and one count of malicious shooting.

WTVR-TV reports the two men who escaped from the home were movers taking Diane and Szaksz’s belongings. One mover told WTVR the two of them jumped out of a window to try and escape.

He said, "I know I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t jump because the standoff was nine hours. I know he walked around the house plenty of times. I know he remembered we were in there."

Diane’s aunt and uncle told WTVR Diane and her daughter were attempting to get out of an allegedly abusive household.

Henrico County Jail records show Crowder is being held without bond.

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