Man arrested in fatal shooting of 6-year-old in Moreno Valley

A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and other charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a 6-year-old girl in Moreno Valley, Riverside County sheriff’s officials said Tuesday.

Jail records showed the suspect, identified as Keandre Narkie Johnson, was arrested in Hemet about 4 p.m. Monday, nine days after Tiana Ricks and her father were struck by gunfire in a Moreno Valley driveway.

The records showed Johnson was booked on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, cruelty to a child causing death, and battery, along with a parole violation. Johnson, who was held without bail, was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday morning.

In a statement, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department described Johnson as a “self-admitted gang member and parolee at large.”

Witnesses told KTLA-TV Tiana and her father, Tyrell Ricks Jr., 26, were standing outside the Moreno Valley home Sept. 7 when two men walked up and opened fire. The father and daughter were taken to a hospital, where Tiana later died.

Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Lisa McConnell said the shooting could “possibly be gang-related” but that Tiana’s father was not believed to be involved in gang activity.

Tiana’s death drew attention from rappers The Game and Snoop Lion, who both contributed funds toward the 6-year-old’s funeral. The Game, who hails from Compton, pledged $10,000, his representative confirmed.

Long Beach rapper-turned-reggae artist Snoop Lion (formerly known as Snoop Dogg) donated an undisclosed amount.

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