At the conclusion of an under-9’s football game in Lancaster, Texas, a dispute between the parents transformed the event into tragedy when the coach of one of the teams was shot and killed.
Yaqub Talib, 39, the brother of former NFL player Aqib Talib, is now wanted on murder charges after being implicated in the fatal shooting at the youth football game on Saturday night.
The deceased official was identified by friends and relatives as Mike Hickmon, who oversaw the Dragon Elite Academy squad.
In front of his nine-year-old son, who was playing on one of the teams, Hickmon is thought to have been shot three times.
Talib allegedly got into a physical argument with the referees on the field before opening fire at Lancaster Community Park in southeast Dallas County, according to the Lancaster Police Department.
A man pulling out a gun and firing is shown on the shooting video wearing a black cap and sweatshirt.
Parents can be heard shouting and arguing with one another in chaotic video taken from the side of the field, and some can be heard speaking to match officials at the end of the game before a fight breaks out on the grass.
As additional people rushed to join or disperse the fight, it increased in size within seconds.
The coach was then observed laying motionless on the field after five shots had been fired.
Then, when youngsters who had witnessed the crime were hastily escorted away, frantic parents could be seen making 911 calls on their cellphones.
‘They were angry at the defeat. Fox 4 quoted fellow coach Heith Mayes as saying, “Dude walked on the sideline and stated it was going to punch the ref, so the ref called the game.”
It just isn’t that significant. It isn’t. Kerry Lewis, the coach, continued, “It’s not that serious.” “No one should attend a nine-year-olds’ game in fear for their life or that my son might get shot while playing football,” the speaker said. This needs to end.
“His son saw his father being shot and killed on the field.” These children are good. Lewis argued that they shouldn’t have been required to witness what they did.
He was sincere, loving, and put his role as a father first.
Although Yaqub is wanted by police, his football-playing brother Aqib was also present at the game when the killing took place.
Aqib, who witnessed this unfortunate incident firsthand, is devastated and inconsolable over the terrible loss of life.
His attorney told TMZ, “He would like to express his condolences to the family of the victim and to everyone who witnessed this unfortunate tragedy.”
‘As many may have already heard Mike Hickmon, a father, former athlete, coach, mentor, pillar of our youth football community, and a member of Dragon Elite Academy coaching family lost his life yesterday at a YOUTH FOOTBALL GAME,’ read a parent’s Facebook tribute to the 43-year-old Hickmon.
Despite the fact that the older DEA teams were not present, Courtney Jackson wrote, “This event has rocked us all and really made us all of reevaluate EVERYTHING.”
“No coach, parent, or player should ever have to prepare for this while taking part in youth sports,” the coach said.
“I welcome ideas on how we can aid in the recovery of our 9u players as well as Mike’s family from witnessing and experiencing something so traumatic at such a young age,” said the coach.
Police in Lancaster did not identify Aqib as a person of interest.
After 15 years in the game and a Super Bowl 50 victory with the Denver Broncos, he announced his retirement in 2020.
He has also worked as a commentator for Fox Sports and played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, and Los Angeles Rams throughout his career.
Anyone with information about Yaqub Talib’s whereabouts is urged to call Detective Senad Deranjic at 972-218-2756, according to Lancaster Police.