The Game Says Burying 6-Year-Old Tiana Ricks Was the Saddest Day of His Life

Last weekend, tragedy struck a California family. Tiana Ricks, a 6-year-old girl, was gunned down in an apparent gang-related shooting in Moreno Valley, Calif. Last Saturday, Tiana was fatally struck in her shoulder outside a family member’s going away party that she was attending with her father. Reportedly, the bullet traveled through her and hit her father, 26-year-old Tyrell Ricks Jr., in the leg, leaving him wounded. Relatives said Tiana asked if her father was okay before gasping for breath and losing consciousness. The 6-year-old later succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. Well-known rapper The Game (real name Jayceon Taylor) donated $10,000 to cover her funeral costs. In an interview with CBS Los Angeles, The Game stated:

This very sad story hit me in a place nothing ever has.

He reached out to the girl’s mother, 24-year-old Marquia Macklin, after learning she was trying to raise money for her daughter’s memorial. Over the weekend, Tiana’s family laid her to rest.

The Game (who has three children) wrote about his experience after the funeral service:

Today was officially the saddest day of my life this far. I don’t have many words as I am disorientated & plagued by disbelief in positivity after walking out of the funeral services for 6 year old Tiana Ricks. My condolences to both her father & her step-father as well as the rest of her family….. But most of all all my love, prayers & well wishes go out to @lost_the_love_of_my_life for being as strong as anyone I’ve ever seen given the untimely circumstances. I am in pieces over this one being a father of a baby girl myself & there is no way on this earth a child should EVER have to lay inside of a coffin. Things like this make people lose all hope… But I’m hoping the God we all praise takes the wheel immediately in her mothers life….. Sad sad story man. I hate when sh*t ends up like this for the wrong people. Rest In Paradise you beautiful little angel & may your life amongst God be a million times better than what earth dealt. My love is with you on your journey into the promise land.#JusticeForTiana

Please keep Tiana’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

Tiana’s mother, Marquia Macklin, and Tiana