Authorities in Riverside County have made an arrest in a long-unsolved murder case from 2019, officials confirmed Monday.
Jeremy Whittle, 26, of Perris, was taken into custody last week in connection with the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Santiago Diaz.
The case dates back to November 2019, when Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of gunfire in the 700 block of East 7th Street in Perris. Upon arrival, officers found three individuals with gunshot wounds. Two victims survived after being rushed to a hospital, but Diaz was pronounced dead at the scene.
Homicide detectives launched an extensive investigation but were unable to make an arrest at the time, and the case eventually went cold.
In late 2024, investigators revisited the case and uncovered new evidence that led them to identify Whittle as a suspect.
On March 27, 2025, authorities arrested Whittle, who has since been booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center.
Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, officials have not disclosed further details.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Master Investigators S. Denham or V. Magana with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2772.
