A man who scared Central Valley locals in California with a series of fatal shootings was apprehended early on Saturday while out seeking other victims, according to the police.
Wesley Brownlee, 43, was detained in Stockton following an investigation that linked five shooting deaths that occurred throughout the city with one that occurred about 70 miles distant.
Suspect Arrested in Stockton, California Serial Killing
The police gave no details on a motive at a news conference on Saturday. They mentioned Brownlee's criminal past but did not go into further detail. Stanley McFadden, the chief of the Stockton Police Department, said that the arrest was the result of good police work and a supportive community.
The shootings, which shook the city and neighboring areas, prompted a great number of tips from the public. According to Chief McFadden, the police were able to identify a suspect as a result of those tips. The $125,000 prize for information that results in an arrest had increased.
Brownlee was arrested some time after two in the morning without a struggle. He was wearing black clothing, had a mask around his neck, and had a gun when he was apprehended by police, according to Chief McFadden. The San Joaquin County district attorney, Tori Verber Salazar, stated that charges will be made on Tuesday once her office has reviewed the evidence. She claimed that a group of people worked together to capture Brownlee.
Nearly two weeks before the arrest, the police had reported that five victims, all men between the ages of 21 and 54, had all been shot to death while standing alone in regions with poor lighting between July 8 and September 27. One was white and four of the men were Hispanic. Nobody was robbed, as per New York Times.
Officials stated that the men were shot and killed while they were by themselves. Police stated that all of the murders happened at night or in the early morning. The probe was also connected to the shooting of a Black lady, 46, at Park Street and Union Street in Stockton around 3:20 in the morning on April 16, 2021, police said earlier this month.
According to the officials, the woman recovered from her wounds from the incident. Police said that although there is no known cause for the deaths, they were probably done on purpose, ABC News Reported.
Stockton Residents Express Relief Following The Arrest
Following the arrest of a man suspected of killing six men and wounding a woman in a series of gunshots over three months, residents of Stockton were able to sleep better Saturday night. The mayor gave credit to Stockton residents who provided investigators with several tips that ultimately resulted in the 43-year-old suspect's arrest.
On Sunday, it wasn't immediately clear if Stockton resident Brownlee had a lawyer by his side. He was scheduled to be charged with murder on Tuesday. Police did not provide any other information beyond stating that Brownlee had a criminal history and was likely a resident of numerous locations close to Stockton.
After receiving a large number of tips, detectives were able to find and keep an eye on Brownlee's residence. Officer Joseph Silva, a police spokesperson, said Sunday that investigators were still investiagting the material and attempting to determine a reason for the attacks.
Nobody was attacked or robbed, and the woman who survived stated her attacker stayed silent, according to CBS News. On social media, family members of victims have been connecting and reiterating their determination to secure justice for their loved ones.
In the interim, conspiracy theories have taken over Stockton's social media pages, encompassing everything from vigilantism in response to a lack of police officers to hate-crime murder. Late at night or early in the morning, when cameras couldn't capture any of the crimes, the deaths took place in dimly lighted regions.
A screenshot of a suspect in the deaths was released by the police. The police photo may show a slim, dark-clad person who appears to be sporting a hat.
In the screenshot, the person of interest is only seen from behind their face is hidden. Authorities urge residents of Stockton to be cautious, especially at night, Independent reported.
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