On the evening of Friday, May 29, 2026, 64-year-old Melvin Murphy was killed in a shooting near West Nevin Avenue and C Street in Richmond, California. Murphy had worked as a maintenance worker at his apartment complex for nearly two decades and was remembered by neighbors and family as a humble, helpful man who sometimes gave ice cream and popsicles to local children and was known affectionately as Papa Smurf.

Reports say the fatal shooting followed an argument between Murphy and his girlfriend; shortly afterward a man associated with the girlfriend allegedly shot Murphy. He died at the scene. Investigators used license plate reader technology to follow the suspect from Richmond to Concord and arrested 31-year-old Jabari Fontenot. Fontenot has been charged with murder and the complaint includes a firearm enhancement. Authorities are investigating motive, focusing in part on a possible love triangle involving Murphy, his girlfriend, and Fontenot.

The arrest and charges have been announced and the case is an active investigation. Does anyone in Richmond remember Murphy or have information about the events that night?