Warrants: Slain pregnant woman was shot twice in the back

Kimberly Dianne Richardson told the first responding officer that she was shot by her boyfriend, Daniel Joseph Steele, the warrants alleged.

Steele later admitted to shooting his girlfriend and “provided the location of the weapon and ammunition used in the incident,” detectives said in the warrants. “The weapon and ammunition appeared to match in caliber to evidence that was found at the crime scene.”

Richardson was found shot in the parking lot of Party City, 3604 Sumner Blvd, on April 18. She died the next day.

Richardson was six months pregnant, and doctors were able to save her baby girl. The baby was in critical condition when delivered, warrants said.

Steele, 25, who is the baby’s father, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in her death.

Richardson worked at the Zales jewelry store in the mall. Steele previously worked as a mall security guard. He resigned last fall and was working security at Cameron Village.

Investigators also searched the couple’s cellphones, Richardson’s 2000 Toyota Avalon, as well as her Cove Point Drive apartment “to show a connection between the two parties and possibly give insight on the status of their relationship at the time of the incident and in the past.”

Steele remained in the Wake County jail Tuesday under no bond.