Bradley A’Hearn, Sara Richford, Piper Lee Charged in Mail Carrier Shooting

Bradley A’Hearn, 22, opened fire on a U.S. Mail carrier last week in Spring Branch, Texas, shooting her in the leg when she refused to hand over her cell phone during a robbery attempt. The attack, which launched a multiday crime spree involving stolen mail, a carjacking, and gunfire exchanged with federal agents, culminated in the arrest of A’Hearn and two accomplices—Sara Richford, 26, and Piper Lee, 40—early this morning in a San Antonio motel parking lot.

Federal authorities unsealed criminal complaints charging A’Hearn and Richford with assault of a federal agent, carjacking, violating the Hobbs Act, and mail theft. Lee is charged with aiding and abetting the assault of a federal officer. According to the affidavit, A’Hearn fled the scene of the initial attack in the postal worker’s pickup truck, which still contained her purse, personal belongings, and a substantial amount of U.S. Mail. Richford followed in a maroon/brown Toyota Venza, acting as a getaway driver during the escape.

Two days later, on February 13, 2017, a U.S. Postal Inspection Service agent recognized the Venza near the original crime scene and attempted a stop. A’Hearn, allegedly inside the vehicle, opened fire on the agent and later fired on additional law enforcement officers who joined the pursuit. The suspects escaped, continuing their violent evasion. The investigation intensified when motel employees reported a cache of U.S. Mail and a handgun inside a guest room—mail that originated from across the country but was destined for Spring Branch addresses.

On February 14, investigators found the abandoned Toyota Venza near the motel. Surveillance footage revealed a second vehicle used by the suspects—a yellow Volkswagen. When agents observed A’Hearn, Richford, and Lee leaving the motel in the VW, they alerted San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers to initiate a traffic stop. The suspects refused to yield and opened fire on responding officers. They later ditched the vehicle inside a mall parking garage, briefly evading capture on foot.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. today, acting on intelligence gathered during the investigation, SAPD officers apprehended A’Hearn, Richford, and Lee without incident at a different local motel. All three are now in federal custody. A’Hearn and Richford face up to 20 years for assault of a federal agent, 25 years for carjacking, 20 years for violating the Hobbs Act, and five years for mail theft. Lee faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of aiding and abetting the assault of a federal officer.

The trio is scheduled for an initial appearance at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Bemporad. Detention hearings are expected next week. The investigation was conducted jointly by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, San Antonio Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, Comal County Sheriff’s Office, Bulverde Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt—the defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in court.