The man suspected of fatally shooting a beloved football coach at a youth league game on Saturday is now in custody in Texas.
According to WFAA, Yaqub Salik Talib, brother of former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib, gave himself up on Monday after the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department revealed he was a person of interest in the tragic shooting.
Yaqub’s lawyer, Clark Birdsall, confirmed to the news outlet that he was at the Dallas County Jail while also releasing a statement on his client’s behalf.
“Mr. Talib regrets the tragic loss of life but went ahead and turned himself into the law this morning so his side of the story could be told.”
On August 13, two North Dallas youth football teams were playing against one another in Lancaster, Texas, when an altercation among the coaches escalated to gunfire. Yaqub reportedly fired a gun, leaving Mike Hickmon shot as the melee disbanded. Hickmon was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injury.
“We saw one of our coaches laying down on the ground right there. It was tough,” Dragons’ president Mike Freeman said about Hickmon. “More than just a coach. Great father, great man, great role model, great mentor.”
The owner of the North Dallas United Bobcats, who was the opposing team involved, Tevar Watson, was friends with the deceased, well-liked coach. The news outlet reported the two men had a decade-long friendship at the time Hickmon was killed. The pair met playing in an adult football league.
“I think it’s all senseless, man. Yesterday was probably the worst day of my life, man,” Watson expressed. “Lost a good guy. What we call a standup guy, one of the guys that’s there for his family.”
Aqib and Yaqub Talib are coaches for the Bobcats.
One glance at Hickmon’s Facebook page gave insight into just how much kids and coaching meant to him.
On August 1, Hickmon shared a touching text message between him and his daughter after she made the varsity team for an unmentioned sport.
“My baby said, ‘Daddy I am going to play varsity as a freshman.’ No, you won’t u don’t work hard enough….. 2 years later!!!!”
According to the Dallas Morning News, Yaqub’s recent arrest for the shooting wasn’t the first time he’s been in trouble with the law. Earlier this month, he was indicted for possession of methamphetamine. In the spring, the troubled man faced a grand jury over unlawful possession of a firearm. He also was previously arrested for fighting in a Dallas club.
