Lake Elsinore Man Arrested for 2007 Murder of Teen in Moreno Valley

Vincent Gonzales, a 37-year-old from Lake Elsinore, was arrested on March 28, 2025, for the 2007 murder of 15-year-old Clayvaughn Mallet in Moreno Valley. Mallet was found with gunshot wounds in a field after reports of shots fired on May 5, 2007, but the case went cold after initial investigative efforts yielded no arrests. In 2024, a review of cold homicide cases led to the identification of new evidence that prompted detectives to reopen the investigation, ultimately pointing to Gonzales as the primary suspect. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office has not disclosed the motive or the relationship between Gonzales and Mallet, as the investigation continues. Gonzales is currently held at the Cois Byrd Detention Center on murder charges, and authorities are seeking additional information from the public. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Central Homicide Unit.