Stockton Police Investigating Pattern In Recent Homicides, Says 'Zero Evidence' Of Serial Killer

Stockton police in California have urged people to be careful when going out alone at night after observing a pattern in the city's recent homicides. Police Chief Stanley McFadden also addressed the claims of a possible serial killer on the loose.

Detectives are investigating a series of homicides in which the victims were killed when they were alone in poorly lit areas at night, with no security cameras around, McFadden said at a news conference Wednesday.

"We do see some similarity where it's really areas of darkness, it's really areas where the person is by themselves, maybe not even knowing it's coming, and that's kind of what (we're) looking into in some of the most recent ones," the police chief said. "We don't want anyone to be victimized. We want folks to walk together, to be indoors when they can."

According to a statement shared on Facebook, the Stockton PD has investigated 43 homicides so far in 2022, significantly higher than the 32 cases reported in the same time frame last year.

"We are currently assembling a team of detectives, task force officers (federal, state, and county), crime analysts, camera room operators, and evidence technicians who will be taking a very close look at some of these patterns we are seeing," the statement read.

Cops are investigating at least four fatal shootings reported in the city in September alone. A man was found with fatal gunshot wounds on a sidewalk on Porter Avenue at about 2 a.m. Tuesday, police said. Another man was found fatally shot on a sidewalk near Manchester Avenue and Rosemarie Lane on Sept. 21.

Regarding possible suspects, the department is yet to ascertain if there's one culprit behind all these cases or multiple suspects.

McFadden also addressed social media claims that a serial killer is behind the homicides.

"I know there's been talk on media and social media that there's a serial killer in the city of Stockton," he said. "We have been provided absolutely zero evidence that leads us to believe that one individual is running rampant in the city of Stockton killing people."

Anyone with information regarding a homicide investigation is encouraged to contact the department at (209) 937-8377 or the Investigations Division at (209) 937-8323. Stockton Crime Stoppers also announced a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest.