Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden speaks during a press conference at the Stockton Police Department headquarters in Stockton, Calif., on the arrest of suspect Wesley Brownlee in the Stockton serial killings on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Behind McFadden is a booking photo of Brownlee. (Clifford Oto/The Record via AP)
Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden speaks during a press conference at the Stockton Police Department headquarters in Stockton, Calif., on the arrest of suspect Wesley Brownlee in the Stockton serial killings on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Behind McFadden is a booking photo of Brownlee. (Clifford Oto/The Record via AP)

From the AP . . .

A man suspected of killing six men and wounding a woman in a series of shootings in Northern California was arrested before dawn Saturday as he drove through the streets of Stockton, armed with a handgun and possibly searching for another victim, police said.

Investigators began watching the suspect after receiving tips and stopped him in a car at about 2 a.m. in the Central Valley city, where five of the shootings took place, Police Chief Stanley McFadden said at a news conference.

Wesley Brownlee, 43, of Stockton, was dressed in black, had a mask around his neck, had a gun and “was out hunting,” McFadden alleged.

“We are sure we stopped another killing,” he added.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Brownlee had an attorney to speak on his behalf. He is expected to be arraigned Tuesday on murder charges.

Surveillance image distributed by police for the man suspected of shooting six and killing five in northern California. (Stockton Police Department via AP)

A police photo showed the black-and-gray weapon allegedly carried by the suspect. It appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun containing some nonmetallic materials.

Police had been searching for a man clad in black who was caught on video at several of the crime scenes in Stockton, where five men were ambushed and shot to death between July 8 and Sept. 27. Four were walking, and one was in a parked car.

Police believe the same person was responsible for killing a man 70 miles away in Oakland in April 2021 and wounding a homeless woman in Stockton a week later.

Investigators have said ballistics tests and video evidence linked the crimes.

Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden speaks during a news conference at the Stockton Police Department headquarters about the arrest of suspect Wesley Brownlee in a series of killings in Stockton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Pictured behind McFadden are Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, left, San Joaquin County District Attorney Tori Veber Salazar and Stockton city manager Harry Black. (Clifford Oto/The Record via AP)

At the news conference, a moment of silence was held for the victims.

Juan Vasquez Serrano, 39, was killed in Oakland on April 10, 2021, and Natasha LaTour, 46, was shot in Stockton on April 16 of that year but survived. The five men killed in Stockton this year were Paul Yaw, 35, who died July 8; Salvador Debudey Jr., 43, who died Aug. 11; Jonathan Hernandez Rodriguez, 21, who died Aug. 30; Juan Cruz, 52, who died Sept. 21; and Lawrence Lopez Sr., 54, who died Sept. 27.

Police said Brownlee has a criminal history and is believed to have also lived in several cities near Stockton, but they did not give further details.

Authorities said they received hundreds of tips after announcing the manhunt, and investigators located and watched the place where Brownlee was living.

“Based on tips coming into the department and Stockton Crime Stoppers, we were able to zero in on a possible suspect,” McFadden said. “Our surveillance team followed this person while he was driving. We watched his patterns and determined early this morning, he was on a mission to kill.”

McFadden added that Brownlee was detained after engaging in what appeared to be threatening behavior, including going to parks and dark places, stopping and looking around before driving on.

Stockton, California serial killer
Courtesy Stockton Police Department

Investigators were trying to identify a motive for the attacks. Police said some victims were homeless, but not all. None were beaten or robbed, and the woman who survived said her attacker didn’t say anything.

The police chief thanked various local, state and federal agencies that took part in the investigation, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Local investigators had also worked with police in Chicago to determine whether the killings might be linked to two 2018 murders in that city’s Rogers Park neighborhood. Authorities said videos of suspects showed a man in black with a distinctive walk.

However, Chicago police said Friday that there didn’t appear to be any link.

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87 COMMENTS

  2. Stockton PD must have made some internal improvements since I worked in that town in the 80’s. That town was off the hook then. Last place I had somebody shoot at me.

    • It looks I was right (as usual, it should be humbly noted) a week or so (days?) back when I predicted :

      “This Stockton killer is probably known in the community as just being a regular guy who lives there…”

    • Really does not fit anyone’s profile of a “serial” killer. Really just a POS random opportunity killer, does not deserve the label. Serial killers choose their victims from a certain profile, his targets were too diverse ranging in age from 21 to 54, men AND women, different races. Only thing in common was they were all shot and no robbery.

      • a large percentage of the names seem to be spanish in origin. But then, a large portion of the locals are of latino descent.Don’t know current numbers, but the percentage seems to be significantly higher than wouldfit with the overall population.

        Any way you slice it, here is a man who puts no value on other people’s lives. I’ll be watching to see what comes up about his backgroind and history now he’s been caught. Ties to certin georgraphic.culteral areas that tend to fvour the religion of peace? Or maybe the climb mutt apocalypse dweebs who think the overall “population “load” needs to be reduced and this dirtbag ppionted himself to “do his part”.

        IF he actually DID commit these murders he NEEDS to be sentenced to death, prefrbly by firing squad, no hood, hands tied in front, face the squad. Let HIM experiience what he visiited upon his victims.

        • he NEEDS to be sentenced to death,

          Won’t happen California. Probably be out with no bail by Mon if he promises not to it again.

        • “Ties to certin georgraphic.culteral areas that tend to fvour the religion of peace?”

          Here’s where a POTG killed two police officers and wounded another, firing 80 rounds from a MSR AR15.

          And yes, the shooter is from a “certain geographical.cultural areas that tend to fvour the religion of peace”

          White Christians.

          “Iurato was seriously injured in what state police called a deliberate act to lure law enforcement to an address in Bristol.

          Around 10:40 p.m. that night, DeMonte, Hamzy, and Iurato responded to 310 Redstone Hill Rd. for a domestic violence 911 call that was believed to have been made by the suspect himself.

          The inspector general said the officers went to the side door of the house and spoke to Nathan Brutcher, Nicholas Brutcher’s brother.

          They ordered Nathan Brutcher to show his hands and step out of the house.

          That’s when, according to the inspector general, gunfire erupted from behind the officers.

          Nicholas Brutcher fired well over 80 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle.

          https://www.wfsb.com/2022/10/17/graphic-video-body-cam-video-released-bristol-shooting/

          Strange that TTAG did not feature this reporting…

        • Thanks for pointing this out. 👍
          More fatalities in another ‘top to bottom’ dem controlled city that severely restricts firearm ownership.
          🤔
          Maybe getting more ‘gun free zone’ signs installed will fix the problem. Right whiner? 🤪

          The scum who shot the LEOs was a real piece of work. His wedding day pics show him pointing a handgun at the camera.

        • This had nothing to do with gun free zones, it was a fraudulent domestic violence call intended to elicit an LEO response.

          His wedding photos also show a very nice scoped sniper, I mean hunting rifle brandished by the groom and his buddies.

          From the story, it seems his brother may have been involved in the ambush killing.

          My point is that crazy people are not of any particular religion or cultural identity, it seems no particular group of humans is immune from mental defect.

        • And yes, the shooter is from a “certain geographical.cultural areas that tend to fvour the religion of peace” White Christians
          You left out Bat shit crazy drunk, doubt the guy was much of a Christian constantly drunk or high, divorced, got kicked out of a bar, went home and got into a fight with his brother before he called in the fake domestic abuse report and ambushed those cops. Neighbors called him a bully, said he was always angry, stayed high and lived in squalor in a trailer with beer cans piled up in the yard. So, what’s your point? The guy was White? AND? White guys (and gals) do dumb shit every day, so do Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, individuals of mixed race, gender/sexually confused people, old, young, vegans, meat eaters, people from the North, the South, the East, the West, rich people, poor people, smart/educated people and people who are dumb as a rock. I know about the asshole in Bristol Ct AND the 15 year old “white male” in Raliegh NC that just killed five people (including an off duty cop) with a shotgun. Your retelling of the story about Bristol Ct proves what? Are you JUST finding that one, I knew about it last week. As usual you are days late to the party with a bunch of innuendo, half truths and a chopped up story.

        • “……My point is that crazy people are not of any particular religion or cultural identity, it seems no particular group of humans is immune from mental defect.”

          Finally, something we can agree upon. 👏🎊

        • Aside from LaTour and Yaw, all the other names appear to be Hispanic. However, since Blacks cannot be racist, it has no bearing on the case.

        • “Neighbors called him a bully, said he was always angry, stayed high and lived in squalor in a trailer with beer cans piled up in the yard“

          Really? Please share the details and your source for these comments by the shooter’s “neighbors”.

          From the specifics of the scene, it’s clear that this was premeditated by both himself and his brother. We’ll know more as the investigation progresses.

        • it’s clear that this was premeditated by both himself and his brother.

          I did NOT say this was NOT premeditated, the fuckin guy called in a PHONEY domestic violence report, pretty much closes that door…
          You want to read about the guy? Look it up like I did

      • “Does not fit the profile the left has of serial killers.”

        The DC snipers from 20 years ago.

  5. It was also a hate crime because his victims were Hispanic besides Natasha LaTour who was light skinned and could easily be confused in the dark.

      • “Stockton has a large Hispanic population and a large Asian population.”

        Yaw could have been of Asian-Hispanic heritage…

    • Naw, that’s impossible. People who are discriminated against cannot possibly have racist motivations. Or, so the MSM says.

      Except my experience says otherwise.

      @ JWM Made the horrible mistake of getting engaged to one from Stockton long ago… Later, turned out to be a closet meth head, among various other things that would cause a hasty ejection right out the door.

        • Wasn’t probably much different in 03′ – 07′. Flew across the country to visit her relatives a few times.

          Was memorable for all the wrong reasons.

  6. Saw a photo of his gat. Looks like a “ghost gun” with a Polymer80 lower. How can that be? Ghost guns are illegal in California.

      • How so? ss/antifa tried to murder a 17 yo in the streets during a riot causing him to have to use deadly force to defend himself. They also burned and looted many businesses, many of which where owned by minorities.

        ss/antifa are the lowest scum on earth. Why would they not be serial killers?

        • It only makes sense as an initiation thing if it was a one-time thing.

          Since there appear to be multiple victims here I’m gonna go with “this guy’s a sicko.”

      • PROOF??!!??!!??
        They DO that sort of thing, as do many gangs of similar intent and structure. Proving their “commitment” is often done in ways like this. Possible motive. Maybe he’ll get scared or nasty nd sill the beans…… Turning “state;s evidence” is an often played Get Out of Jail Free card, Too often, I say. Did the crime, suck it up and swallow that hard pill of a penalty when the jury returns.

      • There is already a higher than statistical average of child sex offenders in antifa. Why not murderers and serial killers?

  8. I have my doubts that “tips” poured-in which provided a suspect for police to surveil.

    I think a more likely explanation is that fedzilla compared cell phone metadata for all five locations and times where the murderer attacked. I imagine that only a handful of people’s cell phones were in all five locations at the exact time that the attacker murdered his/her victims. At that point it would be a simple matter for law enforcement to review all of the people who were in all five locations and rapidly narrow down the list to one suspect. Once they narrowed down the list to one suspect, they posted observers to watch him around the clock which led to this arrest.

    Of course law enforcement would never tell the public that they can quickly and easily access your cell phone metadata and know where you are/go around the clock. Instead, law enforcement would claim that some anonymous tipster provided a promising suspect.

    • There was a time not so long ago where I knew certain agencies were doing this surveillance on everyone and didn’t have a problem with it. I foolishly thought that these people loved our country, loved its citizens and wanted to catch the “bad guys” for the good and safety of all. They recorded everything and only acted in the interest of righteousness. What a shmuck! Now I want the upper management of the alphabet agencies to die in a fire for the damage that they have done to our country.

      • “Now I want the upper management of the alphabet agencies to die in a fire for the damage that they have done to our country.“

        Is there specific damage by these individuals that you could list?

        • Miner, If you are so unaware as to the damage the Comey’s, Brennan’s, Mccabe’s, and Clapper’s have done to this nation and how they have divided our citizens, then consider yourself lucky that you don’t have to remember to breathe in and out.

        • Jimmy my boy, I owe you a debt of gratitude for the morning humor you have provided!

          “Former FBI Assistant Director James Kallstrom says he never thought there would be a communist as director of the CIA. Former CIA Director John Brennan reportedly revealed that he was once a communist sympathizer.“

          “How about propagating your Leftist dogma?“

          Under the United States Constitution, folks are encouraged to exercise free speech in this country.

          So out of all of the responses, that’s all you got? SAD!

        • So your position on lying to a FISA court repeatedly and violating an oath to uphold the Constitution (also repeatedly) is they’re protected activities under “freedom of speech”? 🤪

          Yeah, everyone is still laughing at you loser.

        • MINOR Miner49er Yes, you are a very sad example of an American Leftist. You have no if any regard for the Constitution and what it stands for. Yes, very SAD!

  11. Question:
    Has he always been crazy or did thousands of homeless getting $600.00 a month for doing nothing, push him over the edge?

  12. Why did’nt you nclude a picture f the weapon. Are you afraid it might be construed as a “ghost gun”. You can bet anti-gunners are going to grab onto that. You guys missed the boat by hiding that info (likely 80% frame) from your own readers.

      • Unfortunately we have to care. Anti-gunners will use any and every opportunity to undercut our rights. Hiding facts (or potential facts, read as “ghost gun” used in multiple murders) from the reader only undercuts TTAGs credibility and makes it seem as if they are hiding information prejudicial to their platform “second amendment, freedom, take your pick”. FUDs like you always say who phreaking cares until someone takes notice to these blatant omissions using it against the platform (TTAG) and then you conveniently act like you didn’t see it coming. People like you are as bad as the anti-gunners.

        • @Edward

          ?

          There is no such thing as a ‘ghost gun’. Its an invented term applied either to a self-made firearm (with or without serial number), a firearm that has had the serial number ‘obscured/removed’, OR a firearm that is not immediately traceable and may very well have a serial number.

          In other words its all just ‘firearms’, period, and not any special case like the term ‘ghost gun’ implies. Its a deceptive terminology applied in an attempt to falsely ‘amplify’ the idea in the public mind that criminals are making thousands of firearms from ‘kits’ and this is driving the crime increase and the idea is because of this ‘kit’ firearms (e.g. 80%) must be banned so as to decrease the crime which is a false assertion and logic.

          In other words its another attempt by anti-gun to justify a ban on firearms for the law abiding only… because such firearms are already banned for criminals use. Why would you want TTAG to help amplify the anti-gun message by sensationalizing this gun for them? Is it that you are basically anti-gun and would like to see that message amplified here Miner49er?

          TTAG isn’t hiding any ‘facts’ or ‘hiding information’ by not picturing the gun – its just a firearm and that’s it and even if it is a ‘kit’ gun the readers here know what those look like anyway or can find out real fast with a search engine. This is not a supermarket tabloid.

        • Since this “tabloid” won’t let me respond directly to 40 Cal Boooger Eater, I will respond to myself. Your ability to discern what you believe, think, or feel has no bearing on what anti-gunners will use to animate their cause. Whether you believe/feel Ghost Guns exist is not the point, the point is this tabloid and you are attempting to conduct verbal jujitsu (using attempting in the loosest possible way) to avoid that this was likely a 80% frame (or ghost gun in the anti’s parlance). This hide bound determination to avoid this likelihood is why this has become a tabloid and you my friend a child. But then you seem to be cut from the same cloth as the rest of the fools that feel we should look past the alleged fiscal wrong doing of NRA leadership because “that’s the price we have to pay for securing our rights”, then what should I expect.

        • @edward

          You attribute a lot to me without knowing anything about me. Are you like 12 years old?

          If you don’t like fact then don’t try to counter them with immature name calling and assigning false labels.

          No one ever said it was not an 80% thing, only you are trying to make an issue out of it. You betray your anti-gun agenda.

        • firearm that has had the serial number ‘obscured/removed’

          This whole senseless argument is moot in the light of the ruling by the federal judge in W VA. Who really gives a flying fuck if it was a “non-existent” ghost gun or an improperly altered firearm, the damn thing went bang when it was supposed to AND killed 86% of his intended victims. Not one of them was likely to have stared incredulously at the firearm uttering “is that ghost gun?” as their last thought before they died.

      • Correct muckraker

        No well adjusted person with any common sense really cares if it was Edwards ‘ghost gun’ or not.

        Only those who live for the sensationalism of promoting the false and deceptive ‘ghost gun’ idea care. Its the same child immaturity mentality that think it matters and means something profound that a celebrity farted at a party.

        • You brought up tabloid Booger Eater and yes I do talk trash because I like it. It doesn’t change the fact this tabloid blatantly avoided identifying the prominence of the weapon for some strange reason. It would probably be easier to say I’m right and then move on instead of carrying water for the tabloid.

        • “undercuts TTAGs credibility and makes it seem as if they are hiding information prejudicial to their platform“

          No way! I’m shocked!

        • @Edward,

          Yes I did mention tabloid, in the sen that TTAG is not a tabloid that you want it to be. Apparently you do not understand what ‘context’ means just like Miner49er and dacian and Albert Hall.

          Once again, I’ll explain it to you; The article information is from the AP, so go find the AP article.

          It would probably be better if you didn’t rage around acting like an idiot blaming others for your own lack of due diligence for the information you want.

          No one is carrying any water here for TTAG. Folks were commenting and discussing on the merits of the important aspect that a killer was caught – but then you come in ranting against what muckraker posted with an inane subject trying to establish a strawman soapbox platform to accuse some sort of wrong doing where none exists to troll the comments. Typical anti-gun troll behavior.

      • Could have been a freaking hammer!“

        Could’ve been, but much more likely it was a firearm from the evidence. Many killers choose firearms because they are the best way to kill people quickly without difficulty.

  13. Just another 13%er doing what they do.
    & bleeding hearts will make excuses for the ghetto rat.
    Waste of skin.

  14. And the gun used was probably a ghost gun without a serial number or a second hand gun sold without paperwork because this guy had a police record a mile long.

    • war on guns is about as successful as the war on drugs. only an idiot believes gun control is the answer. but then, you are an idiot.

    • And the gun used was probably a ghost gun without a serial number or a second hand gun sold without paperwork

      Sooooooooooo, what? that makes it kill people deader? Fuckin serial number or how/where he got it is inconsequential, it is AGAINST THE LAW to KILL people with ANY kind of weapon/object regardless of where it came from. The gun doesn’t know that it has no serial number OR whether or not it was purchased illegally, the gun has no idea it was used to murder people, the perpetrator of the crime is the ONLY one responsible for the use of that firearm. 15 year old kid in NC used a SHOTGUN to kill five people and the first thing Braindead Brandon did was call for an immediate “assault weapon” ban, and he doesn’t even know where he’s at, what he’s doing or who the fucking POTUS is!!! You people need to get a life.

    • Late today. Were you watching BROS again? It must have been a private screening with that movie’s popularity.

    • dacian, the Dunderhead, assuming again? We know one thing for sure. He did not own the gun legally. So much for “universal background checks. Do you really think criminals will go to a store and get a background check to buy a gun?

    • a second hand gun sold without paperwork

      So, are you ADMITTING that the California “UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECK LAW” that has been in effect since the 1990s does NOT work? That it is a FAIL? That bad people exist and will ALWAYS find a way to get what they need to perpetrate their nefarious deeds no matter what laws exist to stop them. Another centuries old law this guy ignored, “INTENTIONAL HOMICIDE”, he also ignored that pesky old “felon in possession of a firearm” and half a dozen other crimes. Glad to see you are finally on board dacyboy…

  16. Once again Booger Eater carrying that water for his tabloid. A tabloid that is about guns so the type of gun used by the murderer would be germane to the tabloid article. AP carried the photo of the gun which the tabloid chose not to post again I wonder why? Again avoiding issues doesn’t make them go away all you do is give more moral ground to your opponent. But then I believe in lies of omission as most people used too.

    • @Edward

      Go away straw man troll and take your soap box with you. Come back when you find out what discussion is and can make a sensible adult argument.

        • Then come back when you have some truth. Otherwise go away straw man troll and take your soap box with you.

        • Must be scaring the hell out of the gun grabbers, they keep sending these moronic trolls thinking they are disrupting something, well that’s okay I was bored with the SOS from Minerva and dacyboy maybe these new clowns have some fresh material for our entertainment… Got my popcorn and a cold beer let the show begin.

  17. And that’s all you got nothing substantive. I would say pathetic but that does not reach the depths of uselessness that you plumb.

    • My hammers don’t have serial numbers either.
      I saw a picture of the gun. It looks like a completed 80 percenter. I doubt the murder victims give a rat’s ass that it was homemade. They’re still dead unfortunately.

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