A possible serial killer is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of five men in Stockton, Calif., authorities said.
Detectives have located an unidentified ‘person of interest’ after reviewing surveillance footage of the murders, which took place between July and the end of September, Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden said on Saturday, just days after the last homicide.
Police released a grainy still image of a person filmed from behind, dressed all in black and wearing a matching cap.
The latest killing took place Sept. 27, when a 54-year-old man was shot in a residential area north of downtown, McFadden said.
Police said he was the fifth man shot to death since July 8 within a radius of a few square miles. Detectives believe the five homicides are related “based on our investigation and the reports we are receiving,” McFadden said.
Police said the victims were walking alone when they were shot in the evening or early morning in the city of 320,000 about 80 miles south of Sacramento.
The age of the victims ranges from 21 to 54; four of the men were Hispanic and one was white, McFadden said.
Three of the victims have been identified as Paul Yaw, 35; Salvador Dubedy Jr., 43, and Lorenzo Lopez, 54.
Yaw’s mother, Greta Bogrow, described her son to KCRA station as “a big man with a big heart”. She said he was homeless at the time of his death on July 8.
Dubedy was in a parking lot in the 4900 block of West Lane on the night of August 11 when he was shot and pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind his wife and daughter.
“It caused a lot of pain, a lot of pain for our family,” said Dubedy’s widow, Analydia Lopez.
Shortly before 2 a.m. on September 27, Lopez was in the 900 block of Porter Avenue when he was fatally shot.
“My mom and dad were heartbroken because of this,” said Jerry Lopez, Lopez’s brother. “This is their first baby boy.”
Chief McFadden wrote on Facebook that his department is committed to protecting the community and solving the murders “using every resource at our disposal, including YOU.” We need your help!!!!”
“If anyone has any information regarding these investigations, call us immediately. Remember that our victims have grieving family members who need to be resolved. If you know something, say something,” the chief’s plea continues.
The City of Stockton offered a $75,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect, and Stockton Crime Stoppers offered an additional $10,000.
McFarland concluded by reminding the public to “stay alert and have good situational awareness,” avoid isolated areas, and walk with a friend on well-lit streets.