Trent Richardson, a 2026 Battle Ground High School graduate and standout football player for the Tigers, died from a gunshot wound at Hockinson Meadows Community Park on Saturday, Aug. 15. Photo courtesy Cade Barker/The Reflector Newspaper.
🎧 Hockinson Park Shooting: One Dead, One Charged
Vigil honors Trent Richardson, victim in shooting; parents of Richardson told attendees to keep suspect James Gill III and his family in their thoughts
Cade Barker
The Reflector Newspaper
Trent Richardson, 18, died from a gunshot wound during the early morning hours on Saturday, Aug. 15, after a handgun discharged at Hockinson Meadows Community Park in Brush Prairie.
Hundreds of people filled the stadium bleachers and alongside the track at District Stadium in Battle Ground on Sunday, Aug. 16, for a candlelight vigil honoring Richardson, a former standout Battle Ground Tiger football player and 2026 Battle Ground High School graduate.
During the candlelight vigil, friends and family shared memories of Richardson’s friendliness, faith, energy and athleticism.
In a statement read at the vigil, Battle Ground varsity football coach Mike Woodward said Richardson’s No. 18 jersey will be retired.
“Trent was so much more than a teammate and friend,” the Battle Ground Tiger Football Facebook page posted. “He was a beloved part of our Tiger family. He brought laughter wherever he went, and his humor, joy, and larger-than-life personality were simply contagious. If you knew Trent, chances are he made you laugh, made you smile, or left you with a story you’ll never forget.”
Richardson studied as a fire cadet with Cascadia Technical Academy with plans of becoming a firefighter. Clark County Fire District 3 stood behind the podium in support during the Aug. 16 vigil.
“As our community grieves, we ask that everyone move forward with love, grace and compassion,” the Battle Ground Tiger Football Facebook page stated. “There is more than one family carrying an unimaginable weight, and we ask that their families, teammates, friends and loved ones be surrounded with respect, prayer and kindness in the days ahead.”
Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies were dispatched shortly after 1 a.m. on Aug. 15 to the Hockinson park, located at 10910 NE 172nd Ave., for a report of an 18-year-old male suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Several vehicles were leaving the area as deputies, Vancouver Police Department officers and American Medical Response personnel arrived. AMR personnel determined the man was deceased at the scene, a news release by CCSO stated.
According to the initial investigation, a large group of people, mostly in their late teens, had gathered at the park after hours. Witnesses told investigators that a handgun discharged while it was in the hands of 18-year-old James Gill III, an acquaintance of Richardson.
James Gill III, 18, of Battle Ground, makes his first appearance in Clark County Superior Court on Monday, Aug. 17, wearing a suicide prevention smock. Video screenshot courtesy The Reflector Newspaper.
A Glock 17 handgun was recovered at the scene.
Gill was booked into the Clark County Jail on suspicion of second-degree manslaughter.
Richardson’s parents told attendees of the vigil to keep Gill and his family in their thoughts, adding that the incident involved no malice and that Richardson’s death was a tragic accident.
Gill is a 2026 Battle Ground High School graduate and one of the top baseball players in the state of Washington in the class of 2026, having signed to play baseball at the University of Washington.
Gill made his first appearance in Clark County Superior Court wearing a suicide prevention smock on Monday, Aug. 17. Gill was granted intensive level supervised release and authorized permission to travel to and from King County, as Gill’s attorney, Renee Alsept, said he starts school on Sept. 1.
Classes begin at the University of Washington on Sept. 30, it remains unclear if the university is honoring his baseball scholarship.
Gill is slated to make his arraignment hearing on Friday, Aug. 21, at 1:30 p.m. in Clark County Superior Court.
CCSO stated in the original news release the investigation remains active, and the sheriff’s office said no additional information is being released at this time. As of press time, the probable cause statement filed in the case was not readily available.
This report was first published by The Reflector Newspaper. Cade Barker can be reached at cade.barker@thereflector.com.
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