A person suspected of killing a number of individuals in Northern California was charged with three counts of homicide on Tuesday for 3 deadly shootings in Stockton this summer time.
Wesley Brownlee, 43, was additionally charged with one rely of felony firearm possession and one rely of possession of ammunition by San Joaquin District Lawyer Tori Verber Salazar, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
He’s at the moment being held on the San Joaquin County Jail with out bail as he awaits arraignment on Nov. 14.
Brownlee is charged within the murders of Jonathan Rodriguez, 21, Juan Carlos Carranza-Cruz, 52, and Lawrence Lopez, 54, whom he allegedly killed with an unlawful firearm in a capturing spree between July 8 and Sept. 27.
He’s additionally suspected of killing two extra individuals in Stockton throughout that very same time interval.
Of these 5 victims, 4 have been on foot and one was in a car after they have been gunned down this summer time. Many of the victims have been homeless and lived in encampments in northern Stockton.
Police additionally imagine that Brownlee fatally shot a 40-year-old man in Oakland and shot and injured a 46-year-old lady in Stockton in April 2021. Ballistic proof suggests {that a} lone gunman dedicated each shootings, Stockton Police Division spokesperson Joseph Silva instructed the San Francisco Chronicle on Tuesday.
Police prompt charging Brownlee with all seven of the shootings, however prosecutors are ready for added proof to be processed, in accordance with the Chronicle.
Previous to Brownlee’s arrest, authorities launched video surveillance footage of a “particular person of curiosity” sporting dark-colored clothes and strolling in the identical areas the place the 5 victims have been killed over the summer time.
Brownlee was arrested on Saturday after authorities supplied an $85,000 reward, later raised to $100,000, and obtained a whole bunch of suggestions from native residents.
Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden stated at a information convention on Saturday that the suspect “was out searching” for one more sufferer whereas wearing all black and armed with a black and silver handgun.
“We’re positive we stopped one other killing,” McFadden stated.
“Primarily based on suggestions coming into the division and Stockton Crime Stoppers, we have been capable of zero in on a doable suspect,” McFadden continued. “Our surveillance group adopted this particular person whereas he was driving. We watched his patterns and decided early this morning, he was on a mission to kill.”