Holly MatkinLancaster, TX – A youth football coach was fatally shot during an argument over a game’s score on Saturday night, according to police.
Witnesses said the coaching crews for both teams of nine-year-olds got into a verbal altercation regarding calls made by the referees during the game at Lancaster Community Park at approximately 8:50 p.m. on Aug. 13, NBC News reported.
The argument ultimately turned physical, according to CNN.
“During the disagreement, the opposing coach staff were involved in a physical altercation and one of the individuals involved in the altercation discharged a firearm striking one adult male,” the Lancaster Police Department (LPD) said in a press release.
Video footage showed several individuals fighting out on the field as another man argued with referees, CNN reported.
Five gunshots rang out a moment later.
Investigators said the suspect, 39-year-old Yaqub Salik Talib, fatally shot 43-year-old coach Michael Hickmon during the incident, NBC News reported.
His sister, Ciciely Hickmon said Michael Hickmon leaves behind his wife, three children, and three grandchildren, CNN reported.
“Mike was an amazing husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, friend and coach,” the Hickmon family said in a statement. “Our family is grieving. Right now, we don’t see an end to our grief. We miss him immensely. We always will. We will love him forever.”
So sad youth football coach Michael Hickmon was fatal shooting at a youth football game in Lancaster Saturday night. The coach's son was on the field at the time. What are we doing? This hurts me to my core. We have to do better. My condolences 💐 to Micheals’s Family. 😢 😢 pic.twitter.com/cvE8z6AjHl
— Coach Fari (@Jstew717) August 15, 2022
The shooter fled the area after the deadly altercation.
“After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in an unidentified vehicle, taking the firearm with him,” the LPD said, according to CNN.
Yaqub Talib, the brother of retired NFL cornerback and five-time Pro Bowler Aqib Talib, turned himself in to police on Monday after the LPD announced he was wanted for first-degree murder in connection with Hickmon’s death, NBC News reported.
He was also being held on a probation violation, according to People.
Yaqub Talib was not permitted to legally possess a firearm due to his criminal history, KDFW reported.
His previous arrests included charges of assault, drug possession, unlawful possession of a firearm, and child endangerment.
Just three days before Hickmon’s murder, Yaqub Talib was indicted in Dallas County on methamphetamine charges, KDFW reported.
Aqib Talib’s brother, Yaqub Talib, is wanted for shooting and killing Coach Hickmon during a youth football game last night in Lancaster. Anybody with any information on his whereabouts should contact the Lancaster Police Department pic.twitter.com/CdipM3TtlN
— Texas Football Life (@txfblife) August 14, 2022
The accused gunman’s attorney, Clark Birdsall, said his client “regrets the tragic loss of life,” but noted he “turned himself into the law so he could tell his side of the story,” NBC News reported.
Birdsall did not discuss details of the case, but said he believes “there are some defensive issues” that factored into the situation.
“Yaqub Talib looks forward to being able to have his day in court,” the attorney added.
Frank Perez, an attorney for Aqib Talib, confirmed his client was at the ballpark when the fatal shooting occurred, CNN reported.
“Aqib Talib was present when this unfortunate incident occurred and is very distraught and devastated over this terrible loss of life,” Perez said. “He would like to convey his condolences to the family of the victim and to everyone who witnessed this unfortunate tragedy.”
“It’s unfair to pass judgment before a full investigation has taken place,” he added. “I believe once all the witnesses are interviewed there will be a different perspective as to what happened this past Saturday.”
Aqib Talib played for four NFL teams during his 12-year career in the FNL, CNN reported.
He and the rest of the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl in 2016.
Aqib Talib retired from the NFL in 2019.
