An under-9 year old’s soccer game turned into a tragedy after the coach of one of the teams was shot and killed after a dispute between parents at the end of the game in Lancaster, Texas.
Former NFL star Aqib Talib’s brother Yaqub Talib, 39, is now wanted for murder after allegedly being involved in the deadly shooting at Saturday night’s children’s football game.
Friends and family identified the officer killed as Mike Hickmon, who coached the Dragon Elite Academy team. Hickmon is believed to have been shot three times in front of his nine-year-old son, who was on one of the teams.
Soccer coach Mike Hickmon, 43, was shot and killed after an argument at the end of a U9 game on Saturday
In the moments leading up to the shooting, angry parents could be seen at the children’s game talking to match officials
The parents rushed onto the field when the argument suddenly spiraled out of control
Police are looking for Yaqub Talib, brother of former NFL player Aqib Talib
According to Lancaster Police, Talib was involved in a physical altercation with the umpires on the field before opening fire at Lancaster Community Park in southeast Dallas County.
Video of the shooting shows a man in a black hoodie and hat pulling out a gun and firing.
In chaotic footage captured from the side of the pitch, parents can be heard screaming and arguing while some speak to match officials at the climax of the game, before a scuffle erupts on the pitch.
Within seconds the brawl grew as more and more people ran to either join or break up the group.
Five shots then rang out before the coach was seen lying motionless on the field.
Parents could be seen resuscitating Hickmon as he lay motionless on the field
Parents Tried To Save Coach Hickmon’s Life A boy can be seen on the far right
Several parents could be seen calling emergency services on their mobile phones
The murder happened in front of dozens of young children who were playing football there
Desperate parents could then be seen using their cell phones to call 911 while children who witnessed the murder were quickly taken away.
“They were upset about the loss. The guy came to the sidelines and said it was going to hit the referee, so the referee called the game,” fellow coach Heith Mayes told Fox 4.
“It’s just not that important. It is not. It’s not that serious,” added trainer Kerry Lewis. “No one should come to a 9 year olds game fearing for their life or my son will be shot playing football. That has to stop.
“His son witnessed how he was shot and murdered in the field. These children are innocent. They shouldn’t have to witness what they saw,” Lewis said.
“He was a genuine person, he was a loving person, he was a father first.”
Coach Hickmon has been described as “a father, ex-athlete, coach, mentor, a pillar of our youth football community and a member of the Dragon Elite Academy coaching family”.
Hickmon is pictured in happier times on his wedding day
Although police are looking for Yaqub, his footballer brother Aqib was also at the game when the murder happened.
‘Aqib was present when this unfortunate incident took place and is deeply disturbed and devastated by this terrible loss of life. He would like to extend his condolences to the victim’s family and everyone who witnessed this unfortunate tragedy,” his attorney told TMZ.
A parent paid tribute to Hickmon, 43, on Facebook: “As many may have heard, Mike Hickmon, a father, former athlete, coach, mentor, is a pillar of our youth football community and a member of the Dragon Elite Academy, coach family arrived at a yesterday YOUTH FOOTBALL MATCH died.
“Although the senior DEA teams weren’t present at this event, it shook us all and really made us all reevaluate EVERYTHING,” Courtney Jackson wrote.
“It’s something that no coach, parent or player ever has to prepare for when they’re involved in youth sport. I welcome suggestions on how we, along with Mike’s family, can help our 9u players recover from witnessing and experiencing something so traumatic at such a young age.
Aqib Talib pictured has not been named as a person of interest by Lancaster Police but he was present at the shooting and his brother has now issued an arrest warrant for him
Aqib was not named as a person of interest by Lancaster Police.
He retired in 2020 after nearly 15 years in the league after winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos.
During his career, he also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, and Los Angeles Rams and currently works as a commentator for Fox Sports.
Lancaster Police are asking anyone with information about Yaqub Talib’s whereabouts to contact Detective Senad Deranjic at 972-218-2756.