UPDATE: Police arrest man after fatal stabbing at Shamel Park

UPDATED: Friday, Feb 22, 12 p.m.

RIVERSIDE — Detectives investigating the stabbing death of a 51-year-old man at Riverside’s Shamel Park announced the arrest of a felon they say was responsible for the fatal stabbing.

Authorities had previously released that Brian Byrd, of Riverside, was found deceased at the park, located just southeast of Arlington and Brockton avenues. The victim died of at least one knife-related injury.

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As their investigation was getting underway, detectives developed leads and gathered information that ultimately led them to identify Terrence Anthony Hawkins, 38, of Riverside, as a possible suspect.

Officials began searching for Hawkins and found him yesterday, Thursday, Feb. 21, in the 4000 block of Vine St., in Riverside. He was detained without incident and transported to the police station for questioning by detectives.

Based on their investigation and interview with Hawkins, detectives arrested the man and he was later booked into Riverside’s Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of first-degree murder and violation of Post-Release Community Supervision.

Jail records indicate he remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at Riverside’s Hall Of Justice, Feb. 25.


Original and Updated Story: UPDATE: Riverside man, 51, fatally stabbed at Shamel Park ID’d

UPDATED: Thursday, Feb. 21 12 p.m., With coroner’s release of information.

RIVERSIDE — Officials have identified a man who was fatally stabbed during an altercation at a Riverside Park earlier this week. The deadly incident happened Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 19, at Shamel Park, just southeast of Arlington and Brockton avenues.

Riverside County Sheriff – Coroner officials later identified Brian Byrd, 51, of Riverside, as the man killed in the park. A coroner’s release indicated Byrd was pronounced deceased at 1:57 p.m.

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City of Riverside Police and Fire Departments, along with other emergency personnel, were sent to the park just before 1:30 p.m., after receiving multiple reports of a man down on the ground and bleeding, Riverside PD explained in a social media release after the stabbing.

“The Riverside Fire Department quickly arrived and located the victim suffering from a stab wound,” explained RPD. “Paramedics attempted life-saving measures but he was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Riverside PD cordoned off a large section of Shamel Park with crime scene tape, designating much of the park a crime scene as their investigation was unfolding. IE Prime photo

Riverside police officers quickly secured the area, designating much of the park as a crime scene.

Detectives with the Robbery – Homicide Unit, along with specialists from the department’s Forensics Unit, responded to the park and assumed the investigation. They were assisted by the Riverside County Sheriff – Coroner’s Office.

During their preliminary investigation, detectives determined “an altercation occurred at the park when the adult male victim was stabbed,” said RPD.

Although RPD’s investigation is ongoing and officials have not released any further details, detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying anyone who may have witnessed the altercation and stabbing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Brett Stennett at (951) 353-7213 or by email, or Detective Dan Mercadefe at (951) 353-7103 or by email. Those wishing to remain anonymous can email rpdtips or utilize the Riverside Police Department’s mobile app “Submit a Tip” feature while referencing incident number 190005549.


Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.