OCP photo/ The Comfort Inn, at 2822 Holton-Whitehall Rd.
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP — The 37-year-old Oceana County man who was shot and killed by a Muskegon County sheriff’s deputy at a hotel Nov. 7 was facing a felony charge of possession of child sexually abusive material in Oceana County’s 79th District Court, according to court records.
The charge against Adam Randall Richards was dismissed one week after his death, Nov. 14, court records state. The charge was filed, Nov. 3, following an investigation by the Hart post of the Michigan State Police.
The felony charge against Richards resulted from an Aug. 21, 2023 offense, according to court records.
Adam Richards’ obituary photo
A reliable source who wished to remain anonymous confirmed that Richards was the suspect who was shot during the early morning hours of Nov. 7 after charging at a Muskegon County sheriff’s deputy with a box cutter at the Comfort Inn, at 2822 Holton-Whitehall Rd. The Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released his name.
A published obituary for Adams confirms his death occurred Nov. 7, 2025. The obituary states Richards’ hometown was Shelby, and police said he lived in Mears.
Police responded to the hotel located across the road from Walmart just before 5 a.m. in reference to a “wellbeing check.”
“The (911) caller was not on scene and advised that their son, a 37-year-old male from Mears, Mich., was staying at the Comfort Inn in Whitehall. The caller was worried that he may try to harm himself,” stated a press release from the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office.
“MCSO deputies arrived on scene and gained access to the subject’s room where he was located with visible self-inflicted injuries. One deputy went to get medical supplies from their cruiser to render aid, while the other deputy stayed with the subject.
“Initial information is the subject charged an MCSO deputy while holding a box cutter, and an MCSO deputy fired their handgun, hitting the subject several times. Medical aid was rendered to the subject on scene, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene from his injuries.”
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