A 30-year-old Temecula woman was shot and killed at her apartment Monday, Oct. 5. The suspect had been out of prison on parole for just 11 days, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said.

Deputies from the Southwest Sheriff's Station responded to a report of unknown trouble at the La Hacienda Apartments in the 28000 block of Colorado Avenue shortly after 7:30 a.m., according to Patch. They found Shaquilah Howard suffering from gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators identified Rashad Kysim Populus, 28, of Los Angeles as a suspect. The sheriff's department tracked Populus to a residence on Astoria Place in Oxnard, where he was taken into custody without incident at about 5:21 p.m. Monday, according to booking records. The Riverside County District Attorney's Gang Impact Team and the sheriff's K-9 unit assisted in locating him.

"Further investigation revealed Populus was released on parole on Thursday, September 24, 2026, stemming from a conviction for assault with a firearm," Sgt. Carlos Mendoza of the sheriff's department said.

The Press Enterprise reported that investigators said on Tuesday, Oct. 6, they were withholding details about the relationship between Populus and Howard. Patch separately reported that authorities believe Populus is the father of Howard's child. Howard's mother shared on social media that Howard leaves behind an 8-year-old child, Patch reported.

MyNewsLA reported, citing the sheriff's department, that the incident began with an unspecified dispute at Howard's apartment. Populus allegedly pulled a handgun and shot Howard at least once. Witnesses called 911.

Populus was booked into the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in French Valley shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 6. He was booked on suspicion of murder with malice and a state parole violation. He is being held without bail.

The length of Populus's prior prison sentence was not disclosed. Authorities have not released a motive.

Populus is scheduled to appear Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center.

Anyone with information about the case can contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Manjarrez at 951-955-2777.