Cedric Omar Dempsey Sr., a 32-year-old father of nine from Perris, California, was tragically found dead on December 22, 2020, in Riverside, CA. His body was discovered by a park employee around 6:45 a.m. in the 2000 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard, behind Bordwell Park. Dempsey had been fatally shot, and the Riverside Police Department immediately launched an investigation into his death.
Despite the presence of other people in the park at the time of the shooting, no one reported hearing gunfire, and initially, there were no suspects or descriptions available. The police urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the need for witnesses to aid in solving the case.
The investigation into Dempsey's murder took a significant turn when, nearly a year and a half later, Arthur Lawrence Akins III, a gang member from Riverside, was arrested on May 21, 2022. Akins was charged with the murder of Cedric Omar Dempsey Sr. and was also implicated in the June 2020 murder of Kevin Henderson, a 43-year-old from Moreno Valley. The charges against Akins included sentencing enhancements for committing a crime to benefit a gang, being an active gang member, and discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury. Akins' arrest marked a pivotal moment in the investigation, bringing some hope for justice to Dempsey's family.
In June 2024, Arthur Lawrence Akins III was convicted of the murder of Cedric Omar Dempsey Sr. The Riverside County jury found him guilty of the charges, including the gang-related enhancements. Akins, who was convicted on his 53rd birthday, was scheduled to be sentenced on August 9, 2024, at the Riverside County Hall of Justice. The trial also included the consolidated case of Kevin Henderson's murder. Another individual, Darnell Frederick Tate, a 34-year-old from Moreno Valley, was also accused in both killings. Tate pleaded not guilty to all charges and was awaiting trial, being held without bail.
The conviction of Akins brought some closure to the tragic case of Cedric Omar Dempsey Sr., highlighting the persistent efforts of the Riverside Police Department and the judicial system to bring justice to the victims and their families. The case underscored the impact of gang violence in the community and the importance of community cooperation in solving such crimes.
