Prosecutors Charge Documented Gang Member with Murder in Shooting Death of 6-Year-Old Tiana Ricks

Prosecutors on Wednesday charged a man with murder in the shooting death of 6-year-old Tiana Ricks, a spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office said.

Keandre Narkie Johnson, 21, described by deputies as a self-admitted gang member and a parolee at large, was arrested about 4 p.m. Monday in Hemet, according to inmate records.


Tiana was fatally shot Sept. 7 in Moreno Valley and her funeral was Saturday Sept. 14 in Long Beach. Rappers Snoop Dogg, aka Snoop Lion, and The Game pledged donations for Tiana's funeral.

The shooting took place the night of Sept. 7 in the 25000 block of Harker Lane in Moreno Valley, where deputies found Tiana and her father, Tyrell Ricks, 26, with gunshot wounds, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Tiana was pronounced deceased early Sept. 8 at Riverside County Regional Medical Center, according to the coroner. Her father is recovering from his injuries.

Johnson was on parole for a 2011 burglary conviction in Riverside County, John Hall of the District Attorney's Office said.

Prosecutors on Wednesday charged Johnson with murder, attempted murder, and participation in a criminal street gang, Hall said.

"There is also a special circumstance allegation attached to the murder count that the murder was committed to further the activities of a criminal street 
gang," Hall said. "There are also allegations of gang participation and causing great bodily injury attached to the attempted murder count as well as personal use of a firearm sentencing enhancements."

Johnson is a documented member of a Moreno Valley-based criminal street gang who call themselves "Edgemont Criminals," Hall said. He was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Riverside and he was being held without bail, according to inmate records.

His arraignment was continued to Oct. 1 at the request of Johnson's defense, and no plea was entered on his behalf, Hall said.

Anyone with more info was urged to call Investigator Baeza of the sheriff's Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777, or Detective Merrill of the Moreno Valley Police Department at (951) 486-6700.