A San Diego man charged in the thrill killing of a developmentally disabled victim as he rode his bike near National City changed his plea to guilty Thursday.
Humberto Galvez, now 22 years old, is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit a crime in the fatal April 29, 2011, shooting of Jordan Hickey, 21.
According to prosecutors, Galvez – along with recently-convicted Juan Ignacio Gomez, 24 – shot Hickey just for the thrill of it.
Authorities said the pair were driving around looking for someone to shoot and fired at Hickey from their car as he rode his bike home along Grove Street in the Lincoln Acres area. Hickey died at the scene.
Galvez will be sentenced on April 24 and faces life without parole.
Gomez was convicted last week in the murder. He too faces life in prison without parole at his April 24 sentencing.
Hickey’s mother, Jeannine Hickey, spoke with NBC 7 after Gomez was convicted last week.
"They knew what the consequences were when they went out hunting, and that's what they did," said Jeannine. "They hunted and massacred my son for nothing. So yes, they deserve to stay where they are for the rest of their lives."
Jeannine said though he was 21 years old, Hickey – who was diagnosed with a developmental disability – could not handle the 4th of July because of the loud noises.
"He would scream if a balloon popped, so I can't even imagine the screams that came from my son when the gun was going off," she said.
For nearly a year, no suspects were arrested in the murder as Hickey’s family members and detectives asked for the public’s help in solving the cold case.
In March 2012, both Gomez and Galvez were arrested in Chula Vista in connection with the deadly shooting.
In July 2012, Jeannine came face-to-face in court with the suspects. Overwhelmed with emotion, the mother yelled profanities at Gomez and Galvez as details of the crime were revealed. She had to be escorted out of the courtroom.
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Galvez's family had no comment for the media Thursday outside the courtroom. His mother was very emotional, crying during and after court.
Hickey's cousin said the victim's family wants justice after all of these years of suffering.
“We want the family to be okay. This has been a long, trying four years and just really want this to be over," she told NBC 7. "This is for Jordan. It’s in God’s hands."
