Tragedy struck on Monday night as a 56-year-old man was shot while in his car near the intersection of Church and Hunter streets.
The victim managed to escape the scene, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries nearly four blocks away, according to the Stockton Police Department.
At approximately 11:51 p.m., multiple calls reporting the shooting flooded the police department. The injured man, still behind the wheel, bravely fled from the gunfire, leading officers on a pursuit. The pursuit ended at the intersection of San Joaquin Street and Market Street, where the driver came to a stop and tragically lost his life, as confirmed by police spokesperson Omer Edhah. The victim's identity remains unknown as of Tuesday morning. This incident marks the 24th reported homicide in Stockton this year.
Remarkably, an adult male passenger in the car appeared to be unharmed, providing a potential source of information for investigators. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and authorities are relying on the cooperation of the passenger and witnesses to shed light on the incident.
As the investigation unfolds, the aftermath of the shooting became visible on Tuesday morning. Broken glass and what appeared to be blood stains were observed on San Joaquin Street, adjacent to the Human Services Agency building and across from St. Mary of the Assumption Church.
Currently, the Stockton Police Department has not released any information regarding suspects or leads related to the case. Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the community, highlighting the urgent need for collective efforts to address the violence plaguing Stockton's streets.
