Hickey murder suspects delay hearing

Two men accused of killing Jordan Hickey while the 21-year-old National City man was walking his bicycle in 2011 face a July 2 preliminary hearing in Chula Vista Superior Court.

Humberto Emanuel Galvaz, 19, and Juan Ignacio Gomez, 21, appeared May 29 in court so their attorneys could seek a delay in their hearing, which a judge granted. Both men have pleaded not guilty.

They are accused in court documents with killing Hickey “as members of a criminal street gang.” He was shot three times on April 29, 2011, as he was walking his bicycle at 12:35 a.m. in the 2800 block of Grove Street in the Lincoln Acres area.

It is alleged that Galvaz shot Hickey three times with a shotgun while Gomez was the getaway driver. Both are also charged with conspiracy to commit murder as they were driving around “looking for humans to shoot,” as stated in the conspiracy charge.

Gomez allegedly drove up close to Hickey before Galvaz shot him. The charge says Gomez sped away, “leaving Hickey to bleed and die alone on the sidewalk.” They are also charged with attempted robbery.

Both men were arrested March 22 at a home in Chula Vista by sheriff’s deputies. Crime Stoppers had a billboard offering a $2,500 reward in the shooting; the reward amount was increased following a fundraiser.

Hickey was developmentally disabled and lived with his mother and brother. Both Galvaz and Gomez remain in jail on $2 million bail.