Community mourns the loss of Menifee murder victim

Words of tribute are pouring into social media sites in memory of a Menifee man who was shot to death in front of his home Saturday night.

Claudell Walter is being remembered as a family man who was devoted to his community and his passion for coaching young athletes in a well-known travel ball league. The 38-year-old husband and father of two "spent a lot of his time dedicated to sports activities with his kids and other kids in the community," said a representative of DTermined Athletics, a regional sports organization Walter helped to create.

"He would work with kids around the country who are trying to pursue their dreams with sports," a source, who asked that his name not be used, told Menifee 24/7. "He was a great guy. The only time he was out and about, being social, was when he was coaching and helping others."

Walter had just arrived at his home on Light Sails Court about 9:50 p.m. Saturday. According to the parent of one of his players, his basketball team had played two games in Orange County that afternoon and evening. Witnesses said Walter was getting out of his car when a suspect approached and shot him twice. Walter was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to a Sheriff's Department report.

Deputy Mike Vasquez said the Sheriff's Homicide Department is investigating the case and attempting to identify and locate the suspect. Officers interviewed neighbors that night and have viewed surveillance video, but no other information has been released at this time.

The representative who spoke directly with Menifee 24/7 said Walter was well known in the area and that everyone is in shock, trying to figure out why such a thing would happen to him.

"A lot of it is trying to figure out how and why," the source said. "For a person like him ... when it happened, there were rumors that he died in his sleep, just because of the kind of person he is. No one ever thought he would get shot. There were rumors, but the truth has to be told. It's important people understand the kind of life that was taken."

Walter's family has lived in Menifee for about 12 years. He was personally responsible for about a dozen youths from the area who competed in the regional league.

"It makes no sense," the mother of a player on Walter's team told Menifee 24/7. "His coaching had an impact on the kids, not just in sports, but in other aspects of life. He was extremely supportive, and he understood the emotional balance between sports and one's family."

An Instagram post by DTermined Basketball stated that "We lost the anchor of our program ... We are very saddened by this, because of his impact on our program, and athletes from all over the world. He was very passionate and always had a smile on his face. At this point, this process is under investigation and we ask any and everyone to help in bringing justice to our family.

"It’s so sad that something so cruel can happen to such a great person. To our basketball community, we are so grateful of the respect and support you guys are overflowing at this difficult time."

"Please everyone keep this family in your prayers," wrote another parent on a Menifee 24/7 Facebook thread. "Genuinely a good family and an even better basketball coach for my son’s team. We are all beyond devastated and heartbroken."

More than 300 messages have been posted to the Instagram thread and many more continue to come in on many social media sites.

The Sheriff's Department asks that anyone with any information that could be helpful in the murder investigation call 951-955-2777.

Photos courtesy of DTermined Basketball