Parolee arrested after Feb. bludgeoning death of Riverside man

RIVERSIDE — A parolee wanted in the bludgeoning death of a 22-year-old Riverside man was arrested Wednesday, May 1, following an “exhaustive” months-long investigation. From the beginning of their investigation, officials have said they fought an uphill battle locating and interviewing potential witnesses, who they described at the time as “uncooperative and evasive as to what occurred.”

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Riverside PD’s investigation began Friday evening, Feb. 8, after Riverside’s Public Safety Communications Center received a medical aid call involving an adult male who was unconscious in the 7400 block of El Sol Way, in the city’s Casa Blanca neighborhood. When officials arrived they found the unconscious and unresponsive male, who was later identified as Jordan Love.

Despite life-saving efforts, Love’s condition “quickly deteriorated” and paramedics rushed the victim to an area hospital in critical condition. Doctors soon determined Love had sustained major trauma to his head and he remained in grave condition until he succumbed to his injuries four days later, Tuesday, Feb. 12.

Based on his injuries and how he died, officials determined Love died as a result of a homicide and detectives from the department’s Robbery – Homicide Unit and Gang Unit assumed the investigation into his murder.

Despite canvassing the area where the deadly incident occurred and interviewing “numerous potential witnesses,” who reportedly saw Love’s attack, “none have been willing to assist investigating officers … and have remained uncooperative,” RPD reported at the time.

In the wake of her son’s death, Love’s mother, Deiyawnna Gaston came forward with a plea for information about how her son ended up dying after being so gravely injured.

“Anyone who knows something needs to talk,” the frustrated mother pleaded at the time, saying she would not stop in her quest for the truth until she obtained justice for her son. “The truth will eventually come out,” Gaston said in the days following her son’s brutal attack.

As their investigation continued, detectives eventually identified Kelvin Trayvone Taylor, 25, of Riverside, as the man they say was responsible for Love’s fatal beating. After identifying Taylor as a possible suspect, Riverside PD enlisted assistance from members of the Inland Regional Apprehension Team in locating and apprehending the parolee.

On Wednesday, May 1, at about 6:19 p.m., IRAT and other officials located Taylor at a shopping center on Limonite Ave., in the neighboring community of Mira Loma.

Taylor was arrested without incident and later booked into Riverside’s Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of murder, voluntary manslaughter, prior state prison enhancements, and violation of parole. Jail records indicate he remains in custody and is currently being held in lieu of $180,000 bail.

SEE ORIGINAL STORY: Mother pleads for answers after son gravely injured in Casa Blanca neighborhood

After learning of Taylor’s arrest, Gaston offered her heartfelt thanks to all those involved in the arrest of her son’s alleged murderer.

“Thanks to the detectives, IRAT, RPD, and who ever else was involved in making this happen,” said Gaston. “Words can’t express all of our emotions that came with this senseless act of murder.”

“I thank God for showing (the officers) the right direction to go and that they got him,” Gaston continued. “Now let the justice happen.”

The homicide investigation is still ongoing and no other details are available, according to RPD.

Anyone with information about this investigation or who witnessed Love’s attack is urged to contact Detective Josh Ontko at (951) 353-7135 or [email protected], or Detective James Elliott at (951) 353-7238 or [email protected]. Those wishing to remain anonymous can email [email protected] or utilize the Riverside Police Department’s mobile app “Submit a Tip” feature while referencing incident number 190004496.

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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.