Grant Leggette Sr., a 57-year-old resident of Jurupa Valley, was tragically shot to death on the night of February 14, 2020, outside the Marriott Hotel in Riverside, California. Leggette was walking to his car after attending an event at the hotel when he was approached and shot multiple times by an unknown assailant. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after the incident. The Riverside Police Department launched an extensive investigation into the murder, which initially yielded few leads.
In the months following the murder, the Riverside City Council approved a $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification and apprehension of the suspect. This reward was later increased to $30,000 in March 2021 as the case remained unsolved and was transferred to a cold case unit. The community and Leggette's family, who described him as a beloved husband, father, and active church member, continued to seek justice and closure.
A breakthrough in the case came in July 2021 when Richard Kevin Baldwin III, a 29-year-old resident of Moreno Valley, was identified as a suspect. Baldwin was already in custody at a Los Angeles County jail on unrelated robbery and weapons charges. He was subsequently transferred to the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside and booked on suspicion of murder, personal use of a firearm, and lying in wait. The arrest brought renewed hope for justice to Leggette's family, who expressed their gratitude to the Riverside Police Department and the community for their support and efforts in solving the case.
The investigation into Grant Leggette Sr.'s murder highlighted the challenges and complexities of solving violent crimes, especially when initial leads are scarce. The persistence of law enforcement and the community's involvement played crucial roles in bringing a suspect to justice. As the legal proceedings against Baldwin continue, Leggette's family remains hopeful that the trial will provide the answers and closure they have long sought.
