Yesterday in Fremont, a 93-year-old man called police, said he had shot his spouse, and stayed by his car in a shopping center parking lot until officers arrived. The woman was later found dead inside the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers were dispatched at about 12:22 AM to a parking lot in the 5000 block of Mowry Avenue after a caller reported he had shot his spouse, according to a press release from the Fremont Police Department. Police detained the reporting party near his vehicle and discovered the 86-year-old victim seated in the front passenger seat. A firearm was recovered inside the car. Detectives opened an active homicide investigation under case number 260103003.
Nonagenarian Suspect Identified And Booked
Local reporting has identified the suspect as 93-year-old Richard Hocking, who was booked into custody on suspicion of homicide with a gun-related enhancement, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. Citing jail records, the Chronicle noted that Hocking is being held without bail and may be scheduled for arraignment in the coming days.
What Police Say So Far
Fremont police say Hocking provided a statement to detectives “articulating the reasoning behind the incident,” but investigators have not released those details publicly, according to KTVU. The department has described the shooting as an isolated incident and said there is no ongoing threat to the community while detectives continue gathering evidence.
How The Public Can Help
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the Fremont Police Investigations Unit at (510) 790-6900. Anonymous tips can be sent by texting “Tip FremontPD” to 888 777 or submitted online, according to a press release from the Fremont Police Department.
Homicide Marks A Grim First For 2026
Police say this is Fremont’s first recorded homicide of 2026, a milestone noted by local outlets. The city did not log its first homicide of 2025 until June, according to a Hoodline write-up on that earlier case, and NBC Bay Area has continued to follow this latest investigation as detectives work through the evidence.
Next Steps In The Case
The Alameda County District Attorney's Office will review the investigation and evidence before deciding whether to pursue formal charges, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. Detectives have requested that anyone with video footage or additional information come forward to assist in the preliminary review of the case.
