Riverside Police Department Press Release

Riverside Man Arrested for Double Homicide
 

Riverside, Ca-  On Friday February 28, 2003 20 year-old Tanya Morris of Riverside and 36 year-old Darrin Hutchinson of Compton were killed behind the El Ojo de Agua Taqueria Restaurant located at 1995 University Avenue. Both victims sustained two gunshot wounds to the head.

Over the past several months several detectives from the Riverside Police Department’s Crimes Against Person’s Unit continued to identify, locate, and interview witnesses and informants. Today, their tireless efforts resulted in the arrest of 35 year-old Raymond Griffin of Riverside. He is facing charges of First Degree Murder with Special Circumstances. The Special Circumstances include enhancements for Multiple Murders and Gang Related Murders.

The investigation revealed that Griffin, known on the streets as Big Wack, sold narcotics in the Eastside neighborhood of Riverside. He has gang affiliations in the Los Angeles area. Allegedly, Tanya Morris and some of her associates stole money and narcotics from Griffin in February of 2003. The murders were committed in retaliation for the theft of drugs and money. It is unclear at this time if Hutchinson was involved in the theft.

As part of the investigation several Search Warrants were served in Riverside and Moreno Valley. Police recovered large amounts of narcotics, U.S. Currency, and three handguns. A fourth handgun was seized during a related investigation.

Investigators learned through street level informants that there were several eyewitnesses to the murders. The witnesses were initially reluctant to provide information to the police because they feared retaliation. To their credit, they eventually provided the police with the details of the incident and the name of the suspect.

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Detective Steve Shumway at 909-320-8011.