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Man arrested after fatal chain assault in Turlock’s Central Park
Devin Tillery
Devin Tillery

The suspect wanted for homicide for the death of a man in a downtown Turlock park has been apprehended, the Turlock Police Department reported.

The police department has also identified the victim in the case. He was Donald Byoyodavid, 54, of Turlock.

Just before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, officers were dispatched to Central Park, at the corner of W. Main Street and S. Golden State Boulevard for the report of an assault.

The first officers at the scene found Byoyodavid on the ground and unresponsive. Officers and medical personnel rendered life-saving aid; however, despite their efforts, Byoyodavid was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The investigation revealed that Byoyodavid had been struck once in the head with a chain. Investigators quickly identified the suspect as Devin Tillery, 31, of Turlock. Officers and detectives immediately initiated a coordinated effort to locate him, said police department spokeswoman Dominique Sanchez.

Within hours, an officer observed a person matching Tillery’s description and attempted to stop him. The suspect fled on foot but was safely apprehended after a brief pursuit. Tillery was taken into custody for questioning and was later booked into the Stanislaus County Jail for murder.
“I want to assure our community that the suspect is in custody, and our investigators are working diligently to piece together the circumstances that led up to the altercation,” said Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden. “We understand the concerns of residents and business owners, and I want to emphasize that this appears to be an isolated incident. Public safety remains our top priority, and we will continue to have a strong presence in the area.”
Detectives continue to investigate the relationship and motive behind the incident.
“We are working diligently to understand all aspects of this case,” said Detective Kevin Blanc. “We encourage anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has additional information to come forward.”
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Blanc at (209) 668-6540. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us