On October 4, the Stockton Police Department shows brief surveillance video of a person described by authorities as a “person of interest” in a series of shootings. Police announced on Saturday that they had arrested Wesley Brownlee, 43.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
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Rich Pedroncelli/AP
On October 4, the Stockton Police Department shows brief surveillance video of a person described by authorities as a “person of interest” in a series of shootings. Police announced on Saturday that they had arrested Wesley Brownlee, 43.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
Authorities in Northern California have announced that they have arrested a man they suspect was responsible for at least six murders over the past 18 months.
The Stockton Police Department announced on Saturday that they arrested Wesley Brownlee, 43, on suspicion of homicide.
Police previously said they were looking for the same suspect in the six homicides and one shooting in which a female victim survived.
Here’s what we know about those targeted in the attacks in the Stockton, California area:
Juan Vasquez Serrano, 40 years old
Serrano, a Hispanic man, was killed in Oakland on April 10, 2021. He was the only known victim to be shot outside of Stockton.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Serrano rode his bike in the seminary neighborhood of East Oakland and served as an auto mechanic for hire. He had no accommodation, neighbors told the newspaper, but he was well-liked in the neighborhood and sometimes slept in cars he repaired.
Natacha LaTour, 46 years old
LaTour, who is black, was the only woman targeted in the shooting and the only known victim to survive.
Police say she was shot on April 16, 2021 in Stockton at 3.20am
LaTour had worked with detectives to try to identify her attacker. She told police that on the day of the attack, the shooter was wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt with the hood up, dark pants and a black mask.
Paul Yaw, 35
Yaw, who was white, was killed after midnight on July 8 this year.
Greta Bogrow, his mother, said in a Facebook post that Yaw was also a grandson, brother, cousin, nephew as well as a father to her own son, William.
“He was a nice guy who grew into a man with a big heart,” Bogrow said.
Salvador Debudey Jr, 43 years old
Debudey, who was Hispanic, was killed on August 11 just before 10 p.m.
His wife Analydia Lopez told KCRA 3 News the couple had been married for 12 years and she was shocked by his death.
“To be honest with you, part of me died with him that day,” Lopez said. “It’s been tough. It’s been really, really tough.”
Debudey’s daughter Selena said her father was unhoused.
Jonathan Hernández Rodríguez, 21 years old
Hernandez Rodriguez, who was Hispanic, died on the morning of August 30. He was the youngest victim.
Hernandez Rodriguez grew up in Stockton and went by the name “Johnny”, his family told KCRA 3 News.
His mother, Viridiana Rodríguez, erected a memorial near the parking lot where Hernandez Rodriguez was shot and killed while sitting in his car. According to the station, the memorial read, “I will always love you and remember you with the love you always had for us, your parents. You didn’t deserve to have your life taken this way.”
Juan Cruz, 52 years old
Cruz, who was Hispanic, was killed just before 4:30 a.m. on September 21. He was from Stockton.
Lawrence Lopez Sr., 54
Lopez, who was Hispanic, died in the early morning hours of September 27.
“He was my first love,” said Betty Gauna, Lopez’s ex-wife. the Chronicle. “He cooked for me. He washed my car before I went to work.”
The newspaper reported that Lopez leaves behind two sons and three grandchildren.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
