St. Augustine, Fla. — A St. Johns County jury delivered a guilty verdict in a high-stakes case involving an attack on a law enforcement officer, concluding a tense series of events that began over two years ago. Richard Bonsell was convicted on Wednesday of attempted murder following a dangerous confrontation in which he shot at a deputy.
The incident took place in April 2020, when Bonsell, driving a vehicle later identified as stolen, was intercepted by a sheriff’s deputy in a shopping center parking lot in Ponte Vedra Beach. The routine traffic stop escalated dramatically when Bonsell aimed a shotgun at the officer and fired two shots.
Miraculously, the deputy managed to evade the gunfire and returned shots, leading to a further escalation when Bonsell, in a desperate act, turned the weapon on himself, inflicting a wound to his chin. He survived the self-inflicted injury and was taken into custody after receiving medical treatment.
The case has cast a spotlight on the perils faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. State Attorney R.J. Larizza underscored the gravity of the situation in his comments following the verdict. “This case is a grim reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face daily,” Larizza stated. He expressed profound relief that the deputy involved was unharmed and announced intentions to seek a life sentence for Bonsell, reflecting the severity of the charges.
Larizza also took a moment to honor the bravery of law enforcement officers. “We are forever grateful for our courageous law enforcement officers and the sacrifices they make to keep us safe,” he added, emphasizing the community’s indebtedness to those who risk their lives.
The sentencing for Bonsell is scheduled to occur on August 29, where the full consequences of his actions will be formally determined. This case has not only highlighted the risks that deputies and officers routinely face but also the judicial system’s commitment to rigorously prosecuting those who endanger law enforcement personnel.
As the community awaits the sentencing, the broader implications of the case resonate throughout St. Johns County, bringing discussions about law enforcement safety and the judicial response to such violent acts into sharper focus.