Brandon Edwards, a 33-year-old male, was tragically shot and killed on May 2, 2020, in Tyler, Texas. Edwards was a member of the 1%ers Cossacks, an outlaw motorcycle gang. His death was the result of a violent rivalry between the 1%ers Cossacks and the Ugly Man Cossacks, another motorcycle gang.
The incident occurred when Edwards was chased down and shot in the Chapel Hill area. The orders to harm Edwards came from the national leaders of the Ugly Man Cossacks, including Kevin Dale Higgins, the former national president, and Chad Michael Crowell, the former national sergeant at arms. These orders were part of a "smash on sight" directive given to Ugly Man Cossacks members to target 1%ers Cossacks.
Several individuals were arrested and charged in connection with Edwards' death. Joshua Ray Tibbits was sentenced to 45 years in prison after a trial. Jose Antonio Valenzuela and Jeffery Ryan Griffin each received 22-year prison sentences following guilty pleas. Chad Michael Crowell pleaded guilty to directing activities of a street gang and was sentenced to six years of probation, along with community service hours. Kevin Dale Higgins was convicted of directing activities of a street gang and was sentenced to life in prison.
The case highlighted the intense and violent rivalry between the two motorcycle gangs, with the court noting that violence was encouraged within the Ugly Man Cossacks. The tragic death of Brandon Edwards brought to light the dangerous consequences of such gang conflicts and the severe legal repercussions for those involved.
