Waco Gang Member Sentenced for 2023 Drive-By Shooting

Sedarrien Saquan Nichols pleaded guilty to charges related to a gang-related attack that injured two people.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent shell casing or bullet fragment against a pitch-black background, capturing the stark, gritty, and investigative nature of the crime scene evidence.A recent wave of gang-related drive-by shootings in Waco has left local authorities searching for solutions to address the persistent public safety threat.Waco Today

A 22-year-old Waco man, Sedarrien Saquan Nichols, was sentenced to 8 years in prison for his role in a 2023 drive-by shooting that left two people injured. Nichols, a confirmed gang member, pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm by a gang member.

Why it matters

Gang violence and drive-by shootings remain a persistent public safety issue in Waco, with this incident highlighting the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the justice system to hold perpetrators accountable and deter future attacks.

The details

According to court documents, Nichols was identified as the gunman hanging out of the front passenger window of a gray sedan and shooting into a crowd gathered on Spring Street in March 2023. Two men, Jason Bonner and Tandre Baisy, were injured in the shooting and treated at a local hospital. Witnesses provided photos from social media that helped identify Nichols as one of the shooters.

  • The drive-by shooting occurred around 6 p.m. on March 29, 2023.
  • Nichols was sentenced on April 9, 2026.

The players

Sedarrien Saquan Nichols

A 22-year-old Waco resident and confirmed gang member who pleaded guilty to charges related to the 2023 drive-by shooting.

Judge Thomas West

The judge in Waco's 19th State District Court who sentenced Nichols to 8 years in prison.

Brandon Luce

The attorney representing Nichols, who said his client was ready to resolve the cases and move forward.

Jason Bonner

One of the two men shot and injured in the drive-by shooting incident.

Tandre Baisy

The other man shot and injured in the drive-by shooting incident.

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What they’re saying

“He hopes to pay his debt to society and then return to his family.”

— Brandon Luce, Attorney for Sedarrien Saquan Nichols

What’s next

The judge ordered Nichols to receive credit for at least 4 years served in prison before he can seek parole.

The takeaway

This sentencing highlights the ongoing challenge of gang violence and the efforts by the criminal justice system to hold perpetrators accountable and deter future drive-by shootings that endanger public safety in Waco.