Stockton serial killer live updates – Cops arrest suspect Wesley Brownlee as he’s ‘out hunting’ for more victims in area
A SUSPECTED serial killer has been arrested after terrorizing a California community this summer.
Wesley Brownlee, 43, has been taken into custody in connection to the deaths of six people in the Stockton and Oakland areas.
Brownlee was taken into custody at around 2am Saturday morning, officials said.
He was dressed in dark clothing with a mask around his neck, and he was in possession of a firearm.
"He was on a mission to kill," officials said Saturday.
"He was out hunting. He was stopped by our own team around 2am this morning."
The spree of shootings unfolded between July 8 and September 27 this year.
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Mayor responded
At a press conference, Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln expressed words of healing following the capture.
"I want to make this very very clear, to the people of Stockton, to the United States and around the world, when the people of Stockton come together and we unite we can get things done," he said.
"Stockton will be a place where people can live, raise a family and grow a business."
Multiple law enforcement agencies involved
When thanking individuals for their work at Saturday's press conference, Stockton City Manager Harry Black noted multiple agencies were involved in the case.
The FBI, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the US Marshal Service, the California Highway Patrol, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department were all involved in the case, Black said.
City manager praises police
Stockton City Manager Harry Black praised law enforcement for their work on the case at a press conference Saturday.
"I would like to thank and commend the women and men of the Stockton Police Department," he said.
"They have been working around the clock and have produced results.
"Their work exemplifies the best of police field operations and detective work."
Police want more tips
Police have said they are still looking for tips in this case.
Anyone with information can call 209-937-8167 or email policetips@stocktonca.gov.
Surveillance can be sent to Stocktonpdca.evidence.com, according to KCRA.
Investigation still open
Stanley McFadden, the Stockton Police Chief said the investigation is "very active."
"Just because an arrest was made, does not mean the investigation stops," he said.
Fear instilled in the community prior to case solving
Kimberly Warmsley, a Stockton city council member, told The Guardian before the capture she does not remember another time her community was so impacted by local murders.
“All of this keeps me up at night,” said Warmsley,
“It’s caused some of our residents, especially in our Hispanic community, to be a little disturbed and uneasy.”
Police believe streets are safer
"We are sure we stopped another killing." police said.
"The arrest happened in two parts," officials also said, noting that one part came from community tips and from "good old fashioned police work."
"This crime was solved because we're Stocktonians."
Victim Peter Alexander Yaw remembered
Yaw's family described the 35-year-old as a "good boy" with a "big heart" as they mourned their loved one's tragic death.
He "was a good boy who grew into a good man with a big heart. He will always live on in our hearts. He was always there for you if you needed him," the family told the outlet.
"He was a son, brother, father, grandson, nephew and cousin. I still can't believe he's not coming back."
Victim Lorenzo Lopez remembered
Jerry Lopez said his brother, Lorenzo, was just "at the wrong place at the wrong time".
"He was just a person who was out here at the wrong place at the wrong time at the wrong circumstance," Lorenzo's heartbroken brother told KXTV.
"It's hard to process that this has happened. I mean, me and my brother have been like twins. We were a year a part, so we were pretty close."
Victim: Lawrence ‘Lorenzo’ Lopez
Lorenzo had worked as an independent contractor but had become homeless due to financial circumstances.
Jerry said that many people offered his brother a place to stay, but Lorenzo turned them down because he didn’t want to “burden” people.
“He’d rather be taking care of himself than have other people take care of him,” said Jerry.
The brothers have lived in Stockton since they were in elementary school, he added.
“No city should have to deal with this,” Jerry Lopez said. “This thing needs to end. It’s scary for our city.”
Police share image of suspect and gun
Stockton Police released a mugshot of suspect Wesley Brownlee, as well as a gun that was allegedly recovered during his arrest.
"During a press conference, Chief McFadden said Wesley was out hunting and we prevented another killing from happening," the police department shared on Twitter.
Ballistic evidence
Cops have not confirmed whether all the shootings were linked to the same gun, but that they were connected through ballistic reports.
Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden said that police noticed an “irregularity in the standard pattern of crime this year” during crime data analysis and eventually connected the shootings.
“It takes a long time to confirm the information, but we do have ballistic evidence linking our cases and accompanied with some video footage as well,” he added.
During a press conference from earlier this month, the chief implied that the shootings had been connected to a single gun, saying: “I have absolutely no answer as to why that pistol went dormant for over 400 days,” between the April 2021 shootings and the one on July 8, 2022.
Arraignment set
Suspect Wesley Brownlee is scheduled to be arraigned at 1.30pm on Tuesday.
Police said more charges are likely to be filed.
Suspect linked to two other shootings
Police recently named two additional victims as potential targets of the suspect after having a run-in with him last April.
In those cases, police say a 40-year-old man was fatally shot 40 miles away in Oakland at around 4.18am on April 10, 2021.
Days later, an unidentified 46-year-old female was shot in Stockton at around 3.20am on April 16, 2021. She survived the shooting.
Suspect wore dark clothing and a mask
Police received tips leading them to Wesley Brownlee's home, and after observing him driving away from his home, arrested him.
He was dressed in dark clothing with a mask around his neck, and he was allegedly in possession of a firearm.
Motive still unknown
Police still do not know the motivation of the alleged suspect.
Police Chief Stanley McFadden said Brownlee is currently Stockton resident but may have lived in other nearby cities.
He allegedly lives particularly close to one of killings, McFadden said, but would not note which.
Signs of trouble
Police Chief Stanley McFadden alleged Brownlee was exhibiting "patterns" that raised police alarm.
This included moving around dark places and parks,, stopping looking around, and moving again, said McFadden.
"At that point, for the safety of the public it feels best to take this person into custody," he said.
Attacks at night
According to Stanley McFadden, the police chief in Stockton, each shooting occurred at night when the victims were alone.
In Stockton, California, there have been 43 homicides so far this year, a 33 percent rise over the previous year.
Police informed ABC News that none of the murders involved drugs or gangs and that all victims were ambushed rather than robbed.
A reward was offered
Prior to the arrest, The city of Stockton has announced a reward worth $125,000 for information leading to an arrest.
It is unknown to whom, if anyone, this will go to.
In a Facebook post, Stockton Police wrote: “Our detectives and task force officers have been working around the clock on these investigations.
“We are committed to protecting our community and solving these cases utilizing all the resources at our disposal including YOU. We need YOUR help!!!!
“If anyone, has information regarding these investigations, call us immediately. Please remember our victims have grieving family members who need resolution. If you know something, say something.”
Killer’s victims: Salvador Debudey Jr
The news of Salvador Debudey Jr.’s passing shocked his wife.
“To be honest with you, a part of me died with him that day,” said Analydia Lopez. “It’s been hard. It’s been really, really hard.”
Debudey, a father, first met his wife in high school; however, they lost touch after graduation but eventually reconnected.
They were married for 12 years before his passing in August.
Victim Paul Yaw's mother remembers her son
Yaw’s estranged mother, Greta Bogrow, told NBC News that her son, who was killed in Stockton on July 8, had been homeless for five years.
“I have always hoped in my heart that at some point we would get reunited and have a relationship,” Bogrow told the outlet.
“It’s always a mom’s dream that their children turn out to be good people. He was a good person. I just wish I had the opportunity to speak to him again in this life.”
Recent victims connected to the same killer
This year, there were numerous shootings reported between July 8 and September 27.
The names of the most recent victims thought to be connected to the killings and made public by the San Joaquin County medical examiner’s office are:
- Paul Alexander Yaw, 35
- Salvador William Dubedy Jr., 43
- Jonathan Hernandez Rodriguez, 21
- Juan Cruz, 52
- Lorenzo Lopez, 54
Criminal history alleged
Police Chief Stanley McFadden alleged Brownlee had a criminal history, but did not know the extent, he told reporters Saturday.
He was unaware of any history of mental illness.
Reason for arrest
Police Chief Stanley McFadden said law enforcement arrested Brownlee when they "identified that he was posing a threat."
He was arrested as police followed him in his car.