Richard Jefferson’s Father Killed in Drive-by Shooting

Richard Jefferson’s father was killed Wednesday night in a drive-by shooting outside a liquor store in California. He was 65.

This is a picture of Richard Jefferson.
Getty

Robert Laberge/Getty Images

This is a picture of Richard Jefferson.

Richard Jefferson’s father was killed in a drive-by shooting in Compton Wednesday night, according to TMZ Sports. Richard Jefferson Sr. was allegedly in front of a liquor store with two other men at around 6:52 p.m. when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up and opened fire. Jefferson Sr. was struck multiple times in the torso. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating the matter. It remains unclear if Jefferson Sr. was the intended target. 

ESPN reports that Jefferson became closer with his father over the last few years, despite growing up as a child with his mother in Glendale, Arizona and his dad situated in California after they split. Their relationship grew to the point that Jefferson would spend summers with his wife and two children in South Bay, within proximity to his father’s residence in Inglewood.

Even though he played in just 20 games last season, Jefferson believes that he still has something left in the tank at 38 years old. As he entertains rumored offers from ESPN, and YES, among others, Jefferson isn’t ruling out the possibility of coming back to the league. "I'm a basketball player until I am not a basketball player," Jefferson told the New York Post. "My goal is to play basketball this season."

This latest development in his personal life may have him more inclined to step away from the game for a bit as he works through this heartbreaking loss. Jefferson Sr. was 65 years old. 

Latest in Sports