CNN
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On Saturday, California authorities arrested a man in connection with a series of killings that claimed the lives of six people.
Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden said at a news conference that the suspect, Wesley Brownlee, 43, was identified by a police surveillance team at about 2 a.m. Saturday as “out hunting” and he was “out hunting.” “Execute the Killing Mission”.
“His patterns are consistent with some of the patterns we’ve seen,” McFadden said. “(He) was around the park, in a dark place, stopped, looked around, moved again. At that time, we thought it would be better to bring this person in for the safety of the public.”
Brownlee was wearing dark clothing, a mask around his neck and armed with a firearm when he was detained, the police chief said.
“We’re sure we stopped another killing,” the police chief said.
McFadden said the suspect had a criminal history, but added he wasn’t sure how much or with which agencies.
The police chief did not share a motive for the killing.
Stockton police previously said they believed five homicides in the city between July 8 and September 27 were involved. All five victims were alone and were shot in the evening or early morning, authorities said. Four of the victims were Hispanic men between the ages of 21 and 54, and the fifth was a 35-year-old white man.
Police said earlier this month that two pre-dawn shootings in 2021 were also linked to this chain of attacks: the shooting death of a 40-year-old Hispanic man in Oakland on April 10, 2021, and the shooting death of a 40-year-old Hispanic man in Oakland on April 16, 2021. There was a shooting in Stockton. The 46-year-old black woman survived.
What we know about killing
Authorities announced last week that the reward for information leading to an arrest was raised to $115,000. Tips from the community helped police catch the suspect, officials said at a news conference Saturday.
“To the community, thank you for all you do. Thank you for standing up, for making your voice heard, and for submitting the hundreds of tips you receive every day,” said Stockton Mayor Kevin J. Lincoln.
“It couldn’t have been done, and it wouldn’t have been possible today without you,” the mayor added.
San Joaquin County District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar said the deputy district attorney is currently reviewing the evidence “as we call it” and is working to determine the charges the office will pursue.
Brownlee is being held in the county jail without bail, according to jail records from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.
Salazar said the suspect will be arraigned on Tuesday afternoon. The district attorney added that another news conference will be held later where officials will announce the charges.