Houston gang leaders convicted for 2017 retaliation shooting that killed a bystander
A federal jury found two Houston gang commanders guilty of ordering a 2017 retaliatory attack that resulted in the death of an uninvolved 53-year-old man.
Federal prosecutors secured convictions against Shaquille Richards and Alexandra Nicks for orchestrating a 2017 gang retaliation in Houston that killed an innocent 53-year-old man. The pair ordered four members of the 103 gang—Marcus Christopher, Marquis Erskin, Mertroy Harris and Deandre Watson—to locate and shoot a rival Young Scott Block member; the target survived and the bystander was fatally wounded. After the shooting, the assailants fled, crashing their vehicle and committing a carjacking before being apprehended.
Evidence from jail calls, social media and trial testimony showed the leaders threatened expulsion for anyone refusing the order. Both leaders are charged with racketeering-related murder offenses and await sentencing on November 4, while the four shooters, who have already pleaded guilty, will be sentenced on September 2.
Why it matters
The convictions remove key gang leaders from the streets and hold them accountable for a civilian death.
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