On Dec. 11, Contra Costa County sheriff's deputies arrested Fernando Trujillo, 42, at his Bay Point home for allegedly shooting and killing 45-year-old Dwayne Askew in Barstow in 1995.
Barstow police said Askew was found lying in a Barstow street suffering from a gunshot wound to the head in the early hours of May 30, 1995.
He was taken to Barstow Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Police said detectives learned that Askew had been at a home for a gathering in honor of a friend who had recently died a short time before he was shot.
A crime scene investigation turned up a gun and other evidence, and police heard from witnesses about several males running from the scene after the shooting, according to police.
However, the police investigation lacked solid leads and the case turned cold.
Police said new information surfaced that led to the reopening of the case and the identification of Trujillo as the suspect in the murder.
A Victorville Superior Court judge last week issued an arrest warrant for the Bay Point resident charging him with murder and participation in a criminal street gang, according to police.
After his arrest in Bay Point, Trujillo was taken to county jail in Martinez, where Barstow police detectives interviewed him.
The officers then brought the suspect to Barstow and booked him into the San Bernardino County jail on suspicion of murder and street terrorism.
An investigation into the 1995 fatal shooting and the gang involved in the crime is ongoing and anyone with additional information is asked to call Barstow police at (760) 256-2211 or Detective Leo Griego at (760) 255-5187. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the Police Department's anonymous tip line at (800) 78-CRIME.
