The brother of retired NFL cornerback Aqib Talib turned himself in to authorities Monday after police identified him as the suspect in the shooting death of a coach at a youth football game in Texas.
As reported by The Associated Press, Yaqub Salik Talib is suspected in the Saturday night shooting that killed a man, police in the Dallas-area city of Lancaster said. Authorities have not yet identified the man, but family and friends say he was a coach.
Yaqub Talib's attorney, Clark Birdsall, told The Associated Press that his client "regrets the tragic loss of life but self surrendered this morning so that he may have the chance to say his side of the story." Birdsall declined to elaborate on what Talib's side of the story is.
Yaqub Talib is the brother of Aqib Talib, a five-time Pro Bowler who announced his retirement in 2020. Aqib Talib was named last month as a contributor for Prime Video's "Thursday Night Football."
ABC affiliate WFAA in Dallas reported that the brothers are coaches for North Dallas United Bobcats, a youth football team.
Coaches with the youth team D.E.A. Dragons identified the man killed as coach Mike Hickmon, WFAA reported. Dragons president Mike Freeman said the dispute began when Hickmon went to pick up a football and someone kicked it away.
The shooting at the football game happened about 8:50 p.m. at the Lancaster Community Park in southeast Dallas County. The coach's son was on the field at the time.
"I don't know how to explain it to the kids. That's the part that I'm stuck on right now. How do I explain it to them. Why?" Freeman said. "This is something that these kids will remember for the rest of their life."
Shortly before noon Monday, Yaqub Talib's attorney, Clark Birdsall, confirmed that his client had turned himself into authorities at the Dallas County Jail, according to WFAA.
Birdsall released a statement on behalf of Talib, saying, "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."
Police said responding officers were told of a "disagreement among coaching staff and the officiating crew," according to a news release.
While the disagreement unfolded, the coaches got into a physical altercation, and one of the people involved in the fight fired a gun. One man was shot, police said.
He was taken to a hospital, where he later died, according to the news release.
“We saw one of our coaches laying down on the ground right there. It was tough," Freeman said. “More than just a coach. Great father, great man, great role model, great mentor.”
