An arrest has been made in the serial killings in Stockton California, authorities announced Saturday. The string of killings occurred in Stockton with one killing happening in Oakland.
Stockton police said received they a lot of tips from the community that led them to the 43-year-old suspect, Wesley Brownlee. Investigators were watching Brownlee’s movements and followed him as he was driving around 2 a.m. Saturday.
Officials confirm name of person arrested in this case: Wesley Brownlee, who is 43 and lives in Stockton. DA says she doesn’t want to say his name and will refer to him as “defendant” from now on
— Alyssa Goard (@AlyssaMGoard) October 15, 2022
RELATED:Stockton Police Continue To Search For Apparent Serial Killer Tied To 6 Murders
They “determined early this morning he was on a mission to kill. He was out hunting,” Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden said during a press release Saturday afternoon. “We are sure we stopped another killing,” McFadden said.
Breaking: @StocktonPolice arrest 43 yo Wesley Brownley for the serial killings. Police say tips to Crimestoppers and police work lead them to his capture. He will be arraigned in court Tuesday. @kcranews pic.twitter.com/dE38DOjH8z
— Michelle Bandur KCRA (@MBandurKCRA) October 15, 2022
As we previously reported, authorities recently announced during a press conference that five men in Stockton had been killed in the past few months. According to Fox News all the victims were ambushed and shot to death alone in the dark. Police also believed that two additional cases might be linked to the killer.
“It definitely meets the definition of a serial killer,” said Stockton Police Officer Joseph Silva. “What makes this different is the shooter is just looking for an opportunity, and unfortunately our victims were alone in a dark area.”
The family of 21-year-old, Jonathan Hernández Rodríguez recently spoke out after their son was linked to one of the killings of the apparent serial killer. He’s the youngest victim, and his body was found inside his car by residents at the apartment complex where he lived on East Hammer Lane and Tam O Shanter Drive in Stockton on the morning of Aug. 30.
RELATED:California Serial Killer ‘I-5 Strangler’ Strangled In Prison
His mother Viridiana Hernandez set up a memorial near a parking spot where he was reportedly killed at with a message that reads in part, “I will always love you and remember you with the love that you always had for us, your parents. You didn’t deserve your life to be taken this way. You were always a good and kind child to everyone around you and they all loved you. I, your mother, am mostly heartbroken and will always miss you with my heart and soul. – Your ‘Mami,’ as you always called me.”
A 46-year-old Black woman is the only known survivor of the shootings. Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden said the woman biked to an encampment at Park and Union streets in Stockton where she was shot on April 16, 2021, at around 3:30 a.m.
DA says deputy DA’s reviewing evidence now & that the defendant will be arraigned Tuesday at 1:30 pm & will have a press conference announcing the charges
— Alyssa Goard (@AlyssaMGoard) October 15, 2022