TEMECULA, CA — A morning call for unknown trouble turned into a homicide investigation on Colorado Avenue, and now a 30-year-old Temecula woman has been identified as the victim.
On Monday, October 5, 2026, at 7:34 a.m., deputies from the Southwest Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the 28000 block of Colorado Avenue, Temecula, regarding a report of unknown trouble.
Upon arrival, deputies located the victim, Shaquilah Howard, a 30-year-old resident of Temecula, suffering from wounds consistent with a gunshot. Howard was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Central Homicide Unit was notified and responded to assume the investigation.
During the investigation, investigators identified the suspect as Rashad Populus, a 28-year-old resident of Los Angeles.
Further investigation revealed a disturbing detail: Populus was released on parole on September 24, 2026, stemming from a conviction for assault with a firearm — just 11 days before the Temecula killing.
On October 5, 2026, with the assistance of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Gang Impact Team and the Riverside Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Populus was located in the city of Oxnard, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Populus was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, for murder and violation of parole.
This investigation is ongoing, and no further details will be released at this time, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Manjarrez at (951) 955–2777.
Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Shaquilah Howard during this heartbreaking time.
Rest in Peace, Shaquilah.
Leave a Reply