Oscar Aguilar, 52, was found fatally shot in the Santa Ana Riverbed in Jurupa Valley on September 27, 2023. Passers-by located his body south of Clay Street and Van Buren Boulevard and alerted authorities about 11 a.m.; Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies confirmed a gunshot wound at the scene. The riverbed area is noted for transient activity and several homeless encampments, but investigators did not link the killing to that population or disclose a motive.

The Central Homicide Unit took over the investigation and urged anyone with information to come forward. On January 4, 2024, 41-year-old Justin Ronald Vanderford of Jurupa Valley was arrested near Lakeview Street and Pedley Road and booked on charges including murder, discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury, and being a felon and narcotic addict in possession of a firearm; bail was set at $2,050,000 and arraignment was scheduled for February 5, 2024. Authorities have not disclosed what evidence led to the arrest or a motive for the killing.

Did anyone in the Jurupa Valley area see activity near the riverbed around September 27, 2023, or have information that could help investigators?