Second person arrested after Moreno Valley murder

February 3, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATE: Thursday, Feb. 6, 3:15 p.m.

See Original Story below.

MORENO VALLEY — Authorities investigating the Moreno Valley murder of an Inglewood man say they arrested a second person alleged to have been involved in the deadly shooting. The fatal incident happened early Saturday morning, Feb. 1, on the 16500 block of Century St., near Amy Ct.

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Deputies began investigating the shooting death of 18-year-old, Massai Cole, of Inglewood, after he was found shot multiple times in a residential neighborhood.

Early during their initial investigation, deputies located and arrested 18-year-old, Darren Peter Zesk, of Menifee. He was booked into Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on second-degree murder and other related charges.

Darren Zesk and Jared Zesk, both 18, have been arrested after the shooting death of 18-year-old, Massai Cole, of Inglewood. RSO booking photos

As their investigation continued, officials identified and arrested a second person, 18-year-old, Jared Lee Zesk, of Riverside, who they say was involved in the deadly shooting.

Officials have not yet specified how or if the two men are related.

After his arrest, Jared Zesk was booked into CBDC on the charge of first-degree murder. Jail records indicate he remains in custody without bail.

Darren Zesk also remains in custody, although his bail has been reduced from $2 million to $1 million.

Officials have not yet specified what led to the deadly shooting or if there was any known motive for the fatal incident.

The sheriff’s investigation into Cole’s murder is ongoing and officials have asked that anyone with additional information to contact Central Homicide Investigator Trudeau at (951) 955-2777. Callers can refer to incident file number MV200320022 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.

MORENO VALLEY — Authorities say a Menifee man was arrested after a Moreno Valley shooting that left an Inglewood man dead early Saturday morning, Feb. 1. The fatal shooting happened on the 16500 block of Century St., near Amy Ct.

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Deputies assigned to the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to the residential neighborhood shortly after 2 a.m., after receiving reports of an assault with a deadly weapon, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Carroll reported after the deadly incident.

When deputies arrived they found a male suffering from gunshot wounds. They immediately requested emergency medical personnel to the scene and began providing the victim first aid and other life-saving efforts, according to Carroll.

Sheriff’s officials investigating Saturday morning’s fatal shooting have not released any known motive for the deadly incident that left an Inglewood man dead and led to a Menifee man’s arrest. RVC News photo

Once paramedics arrived life-saving measures were continued; however, the victim died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

Sheriff’s officials have since identified 18-year-old, Massai Cole of Inglewood, as the victim killed in the incident.

Based on the circumstances, members of the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded to the neighborhood and assumed the murder investigation.

“The investigation revealed 18-year-old, Darren Peter Zesk, a Menifee resident, was responsible for Cole’s death,” Carroll reported in a later press release. “As a result, Darren Zesk was arrested and booked into custody for homicide.”

Jail records indicate Zesk remains in custody at Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta in lieu of $2 million bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at Riverside’s Hall of Justice Feb. 5

The sheriff’s homicide investigation is ongoing and Carroll said no other details could be released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Trudeau at (951) 955-2777. Callers can refer to incident file number MV200320022 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; 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 29 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 16 grandchildren.