INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — An argument between former Sebastian River High School football star Jamal Riggins Jr. and a friend of a slain 19-year-old led Riggins to fire multiple rounds in a fatal April drive-by shooting, a warrant shows.
The confrontation happened about 10 minutes before shots were fired from a black Chrysler sedan, leaving Christard Hicks, of Fort Pierce, with fatal injuries, deputies said. Several witnesses identified Riggins as the front seat passenger who sprayed bullets from inside the vehicle.
Riggins, who wore a black shirt and black du-rag during the incident, denied the claims, authorities said. A friend of Riggins confronted him after the shooting, where he told the friend, “Christard was never the target,” the report shows.
Deputies on Tuesday charged Riggins, 19, of the 700 block of 5th Place Southwest, with multiple felonies, including first-degree murder, five counts of attempted murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and shooting or throwing a deadly missile. Riggins remains at the Indian River County Jail without bond.
The incident is one of several homicides to occur within the county this year.
Deputies responded to the shooting about 5 p.m. April 20 in the 4400 block of 25th Avenue. The gunfire struck Hicks, who was standing outside with a group of friends.
Hicks was taken to a local hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead, authorities said. Deputies found rifle rounds on the ground and projectiles on the walls at the home.
Deputies spoke with several witnesses, who gave crucial information that led to Riggins’ arrest. The former football star was already serving five years of probation for a child abuse conviction in June 2017.
Prior to the shooting, Hicks and several friends drove to Four Points convenience store in the 3400 block of 45th Street. The friends then drove to the 4500 block of 33rd Avenue to gather when Riggins approached the group, the report shows.
Hicks’ aunt, Lillie Hicks, previously said the altercation happened at the store, but reports show the confrontation occurred shortly after.
Hicks’ friend confronted Riggins about “talking trash” about him to one of his close friends who was incarcerated in the same prison as Riggins, according to witness statements from the report. The two argued and Riggins angrily asked where the friend would be later.
The friend told Riggins to come find him, witnesses told deputies. The group then drove to a home in the 4400 block of 25th Avenue, while Riggins followed behind them in a white car.
Shortly after, a black Chrysler Sedan drove by the home twice and fired several rounds, the report shows.
Deputies spoke with a female friend who was with Riggins before and after the shooting. The friend, who was not involved in the incident, asked Riggins if he was the shooter and he replied no, authorities said.
Deputies spoke with the driver of the Chrysler sedan involved in the incident. The driver denied being at the scene and seeing Riggins that day, the report shows.
But, deputies obtained phone records that showed Riggins and the driver spoke several times prior to and following the incident, authorities said. The driver told deputies there was a rifle in his trunk that belonged to his friend.
Deputies arrested the driver on an unrelated charge.
Deputies arrested Riggins early Tuesday. He has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. June 6, court records show.
