Jamal Riggins Jr., a 19-year-old former football player from Sebastian River High School, faces serious charges including first-degree murder, attempted murder in five instances, illegal firearm possession as a convicted felon, and discharging a dangerous weapon, as stated by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Riggins, once celebrated in his high school football days, was charged this Tuesday with the murder of 19-year-old Christard Hicks from Fort Pierce.
He is alleged to have indiscriminately fired shots into a crowd during a drive-by shooting at a residence on the 4400 block of 25th Avenue on the afternoon of April 20. This tragic incident resulted in the death of Hicks, who was nearing his 20th birthday and was the sole casualty. Despite attempts at resuscitation, Hicks succumbed to his injuries within an hour at a local hospital.
The police investigation identified a black Chrysler fleeing the crime scene, which was later recovered. Through the efforts of detectives, numerous witness accounts were gathered, and several leads were followed in the weeks following the incident.
“Today’s arrest is a fine example of how community cooperation can help us find justice in these horrific acts of violence. Jamal Riggins was arrested as a result of witness statements corroborating physical evidence obtained by our detectives,” Sheriff Deryl Loar said.
Previously, Riggins was on a five-year probation following accusations of sexual assault against a 14-year-old girl in a team room after being ejected from a football game in November 2016, when he was 18. Originally charged with lewd or lascivious battery, a plea agreement altered the charge to child abuse, which averted the requirement for him to register as a sex offender.
