An exchange of gunfire between a man and a Union Pacific Railroad police officer led to the man being shot early yesterday morning in Stockton. The incident, which began with the man trespassing on the railroad tracks on East Hammer Lane, escalated when the suspect drew a gun and fired at the officer, as per KCRA. The officer fired back in self-defense, but only the suspect was hit.
Taking place around 7:30 a.m., Stockton authorities received a call for assistance from the Union Pacific officer. By the time the Stockton Police Department arrived on scene – a nearby apartment complex – the suspect had already sustained at least one gunshot wound. As reported by KCRA, the fleeing suspect was then taken into custody before being transported to the hospital in stable condition.
Though no other injuries were reported, the weapon believed to have been used by the suspect has not yet been recovered. Mingling with the sound of morning traffic, David Scott, a Stockton police spokesperson, confirmed to KCRA that investigators are trying to piece together the details of the shooting, including the number of shots fired. The motive and the background of the man in his 40s who was shot still remain unclarified by the authorities.
A feeling of unease lingers in the area, where residents like Jane Garcia have become accustomed to the sound of gunfire. "I've only been here for two years and I've seen a lot on this street so far," Garcia told KCRA. "It’s scary but I feel like that’s just what the world has come to."
According to a FOX40 report, the investigation is ongoing with multiple agencies involved, including the Stockton Police, Union Pacific Police, the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, and the Department of Justice. The condition of the man shot near the railroad tracks is still unknown.
