California police officials investigating a series of five July shooting murders are offering a reward of up to $85,000 for information leading to a ‘person of interest’ captured in a new grainy image.
The person of interest was seen wearing what appeared to be dark colored clothing and a hat in the image released on Friday evening, as Stockton police urged the public to come forward with any information related to the murders.
The shootings all took place late at night or early in the morning, with the first incident reported in July and the last taking place last week, police said. So far, investigators have released few details about each case, but said all of the victims were male, four of whom were Hispanic.
Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden said investigators believe the shootings were related “based on our investigation and the reports we are receiving”.
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At a news conference on Friday, McFadden said the murders are “by definition…a series of murders,” local news station KRCA reported.
“But right now we don’t know if it’s one person or two or three, we just don’t know,” McFadden continued. “We think there is some interconnectedness.”
He reportedly added: “These incidents happen during hours of darkness, these incidents happen where people are alone, not in lighted areas.”
Photos provided by the Stockton Police Department show an image of a person of interest behind five shootings possibly linked to Stockton, California.
(Stockton Police Department)
Most recently, a 54-year-old Hispanic man was fatally shot at around 1:53 a.m. Tuesday in the area of the 900 block of Porter Avenue, police said.
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Six days earlier, a 52-year-old victim, also Hispanic, was discovered shot and killed around 4:27 a.m. on the 4400 block of Manchester Avenue.
Two Hispanic men were killed in separate shootings in August. On Aug. 30, a 21-year-old was injured around 6:40 a.m. in the 800 block of East Hammer Lane, police said. And on August 11, a 43-year-old man was shot dead in the 4900 block of West Lane at around 9.49pm.
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Photo provided by the Stockton Police Department shows a “person of interest” in a series of murders in Stockton, California.
(Stockton Police Department)
The first murder took place on July 8, when a 35-year-old white man was killed around 12:31 a.m. in the 5600 block of Kermit Lane, police said.
McFadden said police have opened a dedicated crime investigation hotline and asked anyone with information related to any of the shootings to call 209-937-8167 or send an email. email to [email protected]. McFadden added that anyone with possibly related video footage can submit the file here, or by scanning a provided QR code.
“If anyone has any information regarding these investigations, call us immediately,” he wrote. “Please remember that our victims have grieving family members who need a solution. If you know something, say something.”
The photo provided by the Stockton Police Department shows a map showing the locations of each of the five murders in Stockton, California.
(Stockton Police Department)
McFadden also urged the public to remain vigilant as the manhunt continues.
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“Please avoid isolated areas and travel in well-lit areas. Remember there is safety in numbers, so if you can, travel with a friend,” he said. -He underlines. “If you see suspicious activity, call 209-937-8377 or 911 if it’s an emergency.”
