HOUSTON – Two alleged leaders of a violent Houston street gang have been convicted in federal court for ordering a retaliatory drive-by shooting in the Third Ward that killed an innocent bystander, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
A federal jury found Shaquille Richards, 32, and Alexandra Nicks, 32, both of Houston, guilty Monday of using a firearm to kill during a racketeering murder and murder in aid of racketeering.
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Prosecutors said Richards and Nicks led the 103 street gang, which had been engaged in a violent feud with the rival Young Scott Block (YSB) gang.
According to court records, after a series of shootings and killings between the rival gangs, Richards and Nicks ordered lower-ranking gang members to carry out a retaliatory attack in YSB territory.
Innocent man killed in 2017 shooting
Authorities said on Oct. 16, 2017, four members of the 103 gang drove into rival territory armed with multiple firearms, including weapons equipped with 50- and 100-round drum magazines.
The gunmen allegedly opened fire after spotting a rival gang member standing on a street corner.
The intended target was struck but survived and escaped. However, a 53-year-old man who was not involved in the gang conflict was standing in the front yard of a nearby home when he was hit by gunfire. He later died from his injuries.
Following the shooting, prosecutors said the suspects crashed their vehicle into a ditch while trying to flee.
Three of the gunmen then allegedly carjacked a woman who had her infant inside the vehicle before escaping. A fourth suspect fled on foot, discarded his gun and clothing near nearby businesses and was arrested shortly afterward.
Evidence linked gang leaders to shooting
Federal prosecutors said jail phone calls, social media posts and witness testimony showed Richards and Nicks ordered the retaliatory shooting and threatened to remove gang members who refused to target rivals.
“This gang war plagued Houston’s Third Ward community for years,” Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said in a statement.
U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz said the convictions send a message to violent gangs operating in Houston.
“If you wage war on our streets, terrorize our communities, and put innocent Texans in the crosshairs, my office will come for you,” Reitz said.
Four co-defendants already pleaded guilty
The four gang members accused of carrying out the shooting, Deandre Watson, Mertroy Harris, Marcus Christopher and Marquis Erskin, previously pleaded guilty in the case.
They are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 2 and each faces up to life in prison.
Richards and Nicks will also be sentenced at a later date by U.S. District Judge George Hanks.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Houston Police Department and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.