A federal jury in Houston convicted Shaquille Richards and Alexandra Nicks on Aug. 3 for their roles in ordering a retaliatory drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of an innocent bystander. The verdict marks the conclusion of a case against six members of the 103 street gang, who were charged with racketeering murder and murder in aid of racketeering.
“These gangbangers turned a Houston neighborhood into a battlefield, ordering killers to hunt down and murder their rivals, and an innocent man paid for their violence with his life,” said U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz. “If you wage war on our streets, terrorize our communities, and put innocent Texans in the crosshairs, my office will come for you. We will dismantle violent gangs, prosecute the criminals who lead them, and put them behind bars where they belong. Houston’s neighborhoods belong to law-abiding citizens, not to violent gangs.”
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said, “The gang war that these defendants engaged in plagued Houston’s Third Ward community for years. Based on today’s convictions, these violent criminals are facing long prison sentences that will keep them off the streets of Houston and hold them accountable for the innocent life they took. The Department of Justice has zero tolerance for the scourge and societal ills caused by gang violence. We are aggressively prosecuting violent gang members and continuing to restore law and order to America’s cities.”
According to court testimony, Richards and Nicks led the 103 street gang during an ongoing conflict with rival group Young Scott Block (YSB). After multiple shootings between both groups, Richards and Nicks ordered lower-ranking members to commit a drive-by shooting targeting YSB territory on Oct. 16, 2017. Four associates—Deandre Watson, Mertroy Harris, Marcus Christopher, and Marquis Erskin—carried out the attack using firearms loaded with high-capacity magazines.
The intended target survived but fled after being shot; however, a 53-year-old non-gang member was fatally struck while standing outside his residence. As they attempted escape by carjacking another vehicle—with an infant inside—the assailants crashed their own car into a ditch before fleeing further or being apprehended.
Jail phone calls and social media evidence indicated that Richards and Nicks ordered the attack while threatening other members who did not participate.
U.S District Judge George Hanks presided over trial proceedings; sentencing dates remain pending for all defendants involved—including four associates who have pleaded guilty ahead of hearings scheduled for Sept. 2.
The investigation was conducted by federal agencies including the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives; Houston Police Department; as well as assistance from Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
This prosecution is part of broader efforts under the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative targeting organized crime across Houston through partnerships among local, state, and federal authorities according to information from official sources. The U.S. Attorney’s Office covers more than nine million residents across 43 counties from offices located throughout South Texas—including Houston—and employs over two hundred attorneys focusing on prosecuting federal crimes. Notable former leaders include Alamdar Hamdani (2022–2025) as noted on its history page.