Man wanted in connection with murder case, deputies say

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Deputies are searching for a 29-year-old cook who they said failed to show up for work after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection to a murder.

Last week, Indian River County deputies issued a public alert for help in finding Dominique Riggins. Riggins, of the 4200 block of 36th Court, is wanted on a warrant for accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

Deputies did not immediately confirm if the warrant for Riggins was for an April 2018 fatal drive by shooting in Gifford that left 19-year-old Christard Hicks dead. Several witnesses identified former Sebastian River High School football star Jamal Riggins Jr. as the suspected shooter who sprayed bullets into a crowd from the front passenger seat of a black Chrysler Sedan, reports show.

Deputies said Dominique Riggins is the older cousin of 20-year-old Jamal Riggins Jr. Dominique Riggins, who works as a cook at Indian River Estates retirement community, has not shown up to work in recent days, deputies said.

Riggins may be driving a dark colored Buick, sheriff’s officials said. Hours after the shooting, witnesses identified Riggins as the the suspected driver of the Sedan involved, reports show.

Riggins, who deputies said is the registered owner of the Sedan, denied being involved in the incident. Deputies obtained phone records that showed Riggins and his cousin exchanging phone calls with each other minutes before and after the shooting, reports show.

In July 2018, a grand jury indicted Jamal Riggins Jr. on several murder charges, including first-degree murder with a firearm, four counts of attempted second-degree murder with a firearm, attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Dominique Riggins had not yet been charged for his possible involvement in the shooting. Deputies did arrest Riggins a few days after the incident for driving with an expired license.

Riggins told deputies that a loaded Ruger 5.56 rifle that was in the trunk of his vehicle belonged to his friend, reports show. Riggins said his friend asked him to hold onto the weapon because he had been drinking alcohol.

Deputies found a receipt in the Sedan that showed Riggins purchased a Kel-Tec .223 rifle in Jan. 2018 from Indian River Sportsman shooting range, reports show. The Kel-Tec rifle still has not been found.

Detectives noted that .223 rifle rounds and projectiles were found on the ground and in the walls of a home at the crime scene.

Deputies described Riggins as 6 feet tall and weighing 170 pounds. Anyone who sees Riggins should contact sheriff’s detective Aaron Scranton at 772-978-6127 or ascranto@ircsheriff.org.