Tony's Story
On the night of January 21, 1995, 14-year-old Tony Hicks made a choice that changed his life forever. He shot and killed Tariq Khamisa on the order of an 18-year-old gang leader. At the time, Tony (an 8th grader at Roosevelt Junior High School in San Diego) was living with his grandfather and guardian, Ples Felix. He had just run away from home and was hanging out with two other young gang members (also 14) and the 18-year-old. They decided to rob a pizza deliveryman because they were hungry and had no money.
Tony learned a very hard lesson that day about the lifelong consequences of your actions. He was caught and charged with first-degree murder. In April 1996, Tony Hicks (at age 15) accepted responsibility and pled guilty to killing Tariq Khamisa. He received a 25-year-to-life sentence in an adult prison. At his sentencing, Tony delivered a very emotional and remorseful speech in which he prayed for Mr. Khamisa’s forgiveness.
“My grandfather promised me that he will be Mr. Khamisa’s friend and help him in any way he can for the rest of his life. I am very sorry for what I have done.” - Tony Hicks
At the young age of 16, Tony was sent to New Folsom, California State Prison in Sacramento. He was moved (June 2000) to the State Prison in Calipatria (California’s Imperial Valley) and then to the California Correctional Institution (CCI) in Tehachapi, California (December 2001). He was transferred again (May 2002) to Corcoran State Prison (north of Bakersfield) - his fourth prison in five years. At 26, he is now in Pelican Bay State Prison and will be eligible for parole in 2027.
“Tony is doing as well as he can. He is working hard to stay out of trouble and is trying to pursue his education. He has finished his G.E.D. and is taking college courses by correspondence.”- Ples Felix
Sentencing Speech
Good Morning Judge:
On January 21, 1995, I shot and killed Tariq Khamisa; a person I didn’t even know and who didn’t do anything wrong to me. On April 11, 1996, I pled
guilty to first-degree murder because I am guilty. I wanted to save the
Khamisa family and my family from further pain.
From my grandfather, I have learned about the Khamisa family and their only son, Tariq. I have learned about the love they have for him. Through my grandfather and Mr. Reynolds, they have tried to explain to me the compassion the Khamisa family has for me.
I have had a lot of problems in my life. Over the last year, while I have been in Juvenile Hall, I have thought about my problems. I wish I didn’t have the type of life I had. I wish I had a relationship with my father. I think about the warmth that my grandfather gave me. I wonder why I didn’t listen to my grandfather.
At night, when I’m alone, I cry and beg God to let me out of here. I promise Him that I will be a better person - I won’t mess up. When I see my mom, I want to hold her as tight as I can, and beg her, “Take me out of jail!”
However, I don’t want to use my problems as an excuse for my actions. I think I would have gone to jail sometime but I honestly don’t think getting busted for a robbery or something like that would have changed me. I was too mad at everyone: my mom, my dad, my grandfather. When I first came to the Hall, I was mad at the District Attorney, and the people at the Hall for keeping me here. Now, I’m just scared and mad at myself.
I’m alone at Juvenile Hall. I often think about the night I shot Tariq, especially when I’m alone in my cell. When it’s dark and quiet, I wonder what it’s like to die. I wonder why I’m still alive. Sometimes when I roll over in bed and I lay next to the cold wall, I feel as far away from everything as possible. I wonder if that’s what dying feels like.
I still don’t know why I shot Tariq. I didn’t really want to hurt him or anyone else. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for killing Tariq and hurting his family. I’m sorry for the pain I caused for Tariq’s father, Mr. Khamisa. I pray to God every day that Mr. Khamisa will forgive me for what I have done, and for as long as I live I will continue to pray to God to give him strength to deal with his loss.
My grandfather promised me that he will be Mr. Khamisa’s friend and help him in any way he can for the rest of his life. I am very sorry for what I have done. Thank you for giving me the chance to speak.
First 14 Years
Tony Hicks was born on September 22, 1980 in Maryland to the 15-year-old daughter of Ples Felix. As a result, Ples and his mother (Tony’s grandma) also assisted with Tony’s raising. When Tony was age 9, the family decided that Tony should leave Los Angeles and go to live with his grandfather in San Diego. Tony attended 4th - 6th grades at Birney Elementary School and 7th & 8th grades at Roosevelt Junior High School in San Diego where he had a strong determination to do well in school.
Ples remembers his grandson Tony as a kind-hearted, polite, and well-spoken
young man. However, by his 14th birthday, the call of spending time with
his friends became stronger and stronger. Tony became increasingly angry
at the “house rules” required by his loving but strict grandfather. On that
tragic Saturday, January 21st, 1995, Tony ran away from home to be with
his so-called “friends”. That night, 14-year-old Tony Hicks shot and killed
20-year-old Tariq Khamisa on the order of an 18-year-old gang leader. Read
more about Ples' memories of Tony's childhood ...
Life in Prison
Tony Hicks is grateful for the work of the Foundation and the friendship of his grandfather, Ples Felix, and Tariq’s father, Azim Khamisa.
On April 8, 2000, Tony accepted Azim’s amazing offer of forgiveness to
meet and talk face-to-face at Folsom Prison.
"Tony was very kind and respectful and remorseful." - Azim Khamisa
Tony is currently 26 years old. He won’t be eligible for parole until 2027 when he will be 46 years old.
Azim & Ples are hopeful that they can help Tony "survive" prison so that many years from now when he is released, he can join them at TKF and speak with students about making better choices.
"In my heart of hearts, I believe we will ‘save’ Tony so that he can save other children." - Azim Khamisa
Ples visits his grandson in prison 
as much as he can. However, to visit Tony in his current
facility, Ples must take two flights and drive several hours. Tony can receive limited visits only
by appointment on certain days. Although he was originally kept isolated from the other prisoners due to his young age, Tony is now in the general prison population. He deeply misses his family
and his former life.