Matthew "Higgz" Higginbotham, a 23-year-old resident of San Francisco, was tragically murdered on July 24, 2018. Higginbotham was a well-known figure in the Hunters Point area and a member of the Big Block gang. His death was a significant blow to the community and the gang, as he was considered a beloved member who had a friendly rapport with local police despite his involvement in criminal activities.
The circumstances surrounding Higginbotham's death were particularly brutal.
He was shot multiple times at point-blank range in what police described as an "execution." Surveillance footage captured the moment when Anthony Singh, the primary suspect, approached Higginbotham and fired several shots, killing him instantly. Singh was believed to have been offered $10,000 by another Big Block member to carry out the murder, which was seen as a betrayal within the gang.
Following Higginbotham's murder, the investigation quickly focused on Singh. Authorities placed a tracking device on Singh's car, which later played a crucial role in another related case. On August 19, 2018, Singh was followed from a San Francisco nightclub to Antioch, where he was ambushed and killed by Terrance Webb and Gale Joseph Young. Webb and Young were members of the same gang and sought revenge for Higginbotham's murder. They were later convicted of Singh's murder and faced life sentences without the possibility of parole.
The legal proceedings surrounding these events were complex and highlighted the violent dynamics within the gang. During the trial, it was revealed that Webb and Young had shared pictures of Singh and conducted surveillance on him before the killing. The prosecution argued that the murder was a direct retaliation for Higginbotham's death, emphasizing the gang's internal code of retribution.
The case also involved Victoria Collins, who was accused of being an accessory to Singh's murder. Collins allegedly had her car repainted after police released sketches of the suspects and their vehicle. Although she was acquitted of the accessory charge, she was convicted of possessing ammunition found in her home.
Overall, the murder of Matthew Higginbotham and the subsequent killings and trials underscored the deep-seated violence and retribution within the gang culture in San Francisco. The investigations and legal battles brought to light the intricate and often deadly relationships between gang members, highlighting the challenges law enforcement faces in addressing gang-related violence.
