Chadwick Brice, also known by his stage name Beazy, was a 28-year-old rising rapper from San Pablo, California. On February 16, 2014, Brice was fatally shot at an apartment complex on Crestwood Drive in the unincorporated community of Tara Hills. Contra Costa County sheriff's deputies received a report around 3 a.m. that Brice had arrived at Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo with multiple gunshot wounds.
He was later transferred to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Beal Xavier Hickman, a 30-year-old acquaintance of Brice. Hickman was charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. Initially, Hickman pleaded not guilty to all charges and represented himself in court. The case took several years to resolve, partly due to Hickman's decision to act as his own attorney, which involved him aggressively questioning witnesses during the preliminary hearings.
In April 2019, more than five years after the incident, Hickman accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the murder of Chadwick Brice. The court proceedings revealed that Hickman had been serving as Brice's security guard during a concert at a bar in Crockett on the night of the shooting. Following the concert, a heated argument ensued between the two at a home in Rodeo. Hickman later returned to the scene with a gun and fatally shot Brice.
The tragic death of Chadwick Brice left a profound impact on his family and friends. During the sentencing hearing, Brice's family members expressed their grief and the enduring pain caused by his untimely death. They spoke about Brice's positive influence and the void left by his absence. The judge acknowledged the tragedy and expressed condolences to the family, highlighting the senseless nature of the crime and the potential that both Brice and Hickman had before the incident.
The case underscores the devastating consequences of violence and the long road to justice for the victims and their families. Despite the resolution of the legal proceedings, the emotional scars and memories of Chadwick Brice's life and career continue to resonate with those who knew and loved him.
