Life Without Parole For MoVal Man Who Shot, Killed Girl, 6

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – A gang member who gunned down a 6-year-old girl and wounded her father during an unprovoked attack at a Moreno Valley house party was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Keandre Narkie Johnson, 26, killed Tiana Ricks of Victorville in 2013.

Johnson pleaded guilty last month to first-degree murder, attempted murder and a special circumstance allegation of killing for the benefit of a criminal street gang, with sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations. In exchange for his admissions, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office dropped its pursuit of a trial seeking the death penalty for the defendant.

Supervising Deputy District Attorney Mike Carney told City News Service that Tiana's family was consulted, and no one objected to the decision.

According to sheriff's investigators, Tiana, her father, grandfather and others were in a garage attached to a home in the 25000 block of Harker Lane, just east of Perris Boulevard, when Johnson and an unknown accomplice walked onto the property the night of Sept. 7, 2013.

"One of the suspects yelled 'Southside,' racked a handgun and fired into the garage," sheriff's Detective Ed Baeza testified during a December 2013 preliminary hearing.

He said then-26-year-old Tyrell Ricks Jr. was shot first and fell to the ground.

Investigators estimated five to six rounds were fired. Detective Robert Navarrette of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department testified that Tiana was struck in the upper body. She died about two hours later at nearby Riverside County Regional Medical Center.

During testimony, investigators referred to Keandre Johnson by his street moniker "Kee-kee" and confirmed that he was a documented member of the Edgemont Criminals, a gang that operates in the west and south sides of Moreno Valley.

According to the D.A.'s office, investigators received numerous tips following the shooting that helped identify the convicted felon. His cohort was never named or located.

During the preliminary hearing, sheriff's Detective James Merrill said one of the defendant's associates, identified as "D.L.," cooperated with investigators and made a phone call to Johnson that was recorded.

During the conversation, Johnson insisted "he didn't see the little girl, and if he had, he wouldn't have shot," Merrill testified.

According to investigators, the Edgemont Criminals were engaged in a turf battle at the time with the Southside Mafia, another Moreno Valley gang. Johnson made specific references to "South Mafia" before opening fire, according to witnesses.

Afterward, he bragged to associates that he had "just shot at some 'softies'" -- a derogatory term reserved for the rival gang, Navarrette said.

There was no evidence presented that the victims were in any way gang-affiliated.

Tiana and her father were among around 30 people gathered for a loved one's going-away party when the attack happened.

Johnson was arrested just over a week later at a house on Valley View Drive in Hemet.

According to court records, the defendant had prior convictions for felony burglary, gang activity and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Prosecutors Charge Documented Gang Member with Murder in Shooting Death of 6-Year-Old Tiana Ricks
• Suspected Killer of Long Beach Child Appears in Court

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--City News Service/Image via Patch files from law enforcement