FROM GUN VIOLENCE ORGANIZATIONS AND CHURCHES ARE WORKING TO PROTECT THEIR COMMUNITY. >> AT ANY MOMENT, IT CAN STRIKE TO ANYONE. TO UNDERSTAND IT IS UNKNOWN WHY, WHO AND WHERE, THAT IS THE SCARIEST PART OF IT. >> THE SCARIEST PART FOR THE 21-YEAR-OLD WHO JUST RECENTLY LEARNED ABOUT THE SERIAL KILLINGS BEING INVESTIGATED BY STOCKTON POLICE. >> I WOULD HAVE NEVER HAVE KNOWN. I WOULD HAVE NEVER GUESSED THIS WAS GOING ON. IT IS SCARY. WHO WANTS TO WALK AROUND THEIR COMMITTEE IN FEAR? WANTS TO FEEL THEIR LIFE IS IN DANGER? >> THE GROUP ADVANCE PEACE STOCKTON IS TRYING TO CONNECT THE DOTS. >> I BELIEVE SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DEALT WITH ARE DEFINITELY CONNECTED TO HIT. >> NURI MUHAMMAD AND HIS TEAM PRIMARILY WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO HE SAYS ARE CONSIDERED GANG MEMBERS. >> WHENEVER THERE IS A HOMICIDE, WE GO OUT AND DO ALL THE WORK TO MEDIATE. >> SOMETIMES, AFTER TALKING TO PEOPLE ON THE GROUND, HE SAID THEY COULDN’T FIND ANYONE WHO WAS INVOLVED. >> IT WAS UNEXPLAINABLE WHY THESE TINGS WERE HAPPENING. NOW WE HAVE A GLIMPSE INTO WHAT POSSIBLY COULD HAVE HAPPENED IS THERE IS ONE PERSON OR A GROUP OF PEOPLE NOT RELATED TO ANY OF THE STREET ORGANIZATIONS DOING THIS ON THEIR OWN FOR SOME OTHER REASON OTHER THAN THE NORMAL REASONS PEOPLE WOULD THINK GUN VIOLENCE WOULD TAKE PLACE. >> STOCKTON POLICE RELEASED THIS NEW VIDEO OF A PERSON OF INTEREST. AS THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES, SO DOES THE SEARCH FOR CLARITY. >> WE BELIEVE IN OUR GOD. WE BELIEVE IN OUR MAYOR. WE BELIEVE IN OUR CITY THAT WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS AND WHATEVER NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO BRING IT A RESOLVE WILL TAKE PLACE. >> MANY, LIKE PASTOR KARLOZ VALAZQUEZ OF VICTORY OUTREACH STOCKTON, ARE HOLDING ON TO FAITH. >> WHAT I LOVE ABOUT STOCKTON IS IT IS A STEADY THAT LOOKS AFTER EACH OTHER. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT. I BELIEVE SOMEONE WILL MAKE THE CALL AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE BEFORE ANYONE ELSE IS HURT. GULSTAN: MANY VIEWERS HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO KCRA3 CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR OWN SAFETY. STOCKTON CITY LEADERS ARE PARTNERING WITH A CHURCH, CALLED FAITH IN THE VALLEY, FOR A TOWN HALL ON PUBLIC SAFETY. THAT IS HAPPENING TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:00 AT THE VICTORY IN PRAISE CHURCH ON EAST HARDING WAY. DOORS OPEN AT 5:30. THE MAYOR AND POLICE CHIEF WILL BE THERE AS WELL. THE STOCKTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A TIP LINE FOR ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THESE KILLINGS. THE NUMBER YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN. 209-937-8167
How the Stockton community is coming together amid serial killing fears
City officials and local faith-based organizers will host a public safety town hall Wednesday night
Updated: 8:50 PM PDT Oct 4, 2022
Stockton police released a new video Tuesday of a person of interest in their ongoing investigation into connected serial killings.At the same time, the reward for information regarding the multiple shootings, and possible suspects or witnesses, was increased to $125,000 after multiple donations came in, including $25,000 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The developments revolving around these serial killings is worrying for Stockton residents, including 21-year-old Magine Ford. "I think it's really, really important we let everyone know it is something going on around here," Ford said. "To understand it is unknown why, who, and where? That's the scariest part about it."Advance Peace Stockton is one of the community-based organizations focusing on public safety as the investigation continues."It's a national program that is dedicated to the reduction of cyclical and retaliatory gun violence in urban neighborhoods, dealing with gang violence primarily," Nuri Muhammad, a leader with the program, explained.Muhammad said the organization responds to neighborhoods in Stockton when homicides occur. He believes some of the incidents they've dealt with could be "directly connected" to the serial killings."It was just unexplainable why some of these things were happening and now we have kind of a glimpse into what possibly could have happened," Muhammad said. "Maybe there's one person or a group of people that is not related to any of the street organizations that are doing this on their own for some other reason, other than the normal reasons people think gun violence would take place."He said he has been in contact with city leaders regarding the investigation. He hopes to coordinate town hall meetings for residents, employees, and community members in Stockton to discuss public safety. The dates for those town halls have not been decided at this time.Stockton's faith-based groups are also trying to support residents. Pastor Karloz Velazquez is with Victory Outreach Stockton. His advice echoes what police have been telling people about avoiding walking alone."If you see something suspicious, we have to take the initiative now, Velazquez said.He is encouraging anyone with information to step forward and reach out to law enforcement.A public safety town hall is happening Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. at Victory in Praise Church on East Harding Way. The town hall was put together by Faith in the Valley and city leaders. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.According to the town hall's agenda, the mayor and police chief will be in attendance.Related CoverageStockton serial killings: Video of person of interest released, ballistics connect shootings2 more shootings linked in Stockton serial killings; woman survived 2021 attackWhat we're learning about victims of the Stockton serial killingsSerial killers are 'very complicated psychologically, to investigate,' experts sayStockton serial killings: Everything we know and don't know so far
STOCKTON, Calif. — Stockton police released a new video Tuesday of a person of interest in their ongoing investigation into connected serial killings.
At the same time, the reward for information regarding the multiple shootings, and possible suspects or witnesses, was increased to $125,000 after multiple donations came in, including $25,000 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The developments revolving around these serial killings is worrying for Stockton residents, including 21-year-old Magine Ford.
"I think it's really, really important we let everyone know it is something going on around here," Ford said. "To understand it is unknown why, who, and where? That's the scariest part about it."
Advance Peace Stockton is one of the community-based organizations focusing on public safety as the investigation continues.
"It's a national program that is dedicated to the reduction of cyclical and retaliatory gun violence in urban neighborhoods, dealing with gang violence primarily," Nuri Muhammad, a leader with the program, explained.
Muhammad said the organization responds to neighborhoods in Stockton when homicides occur. He believes some of the incidents they've dealt with could be "directly connected" to the serial killings.
"It was just unexplainable why some of these things were happening and now we have kind of a glimpse into what possibly could have happened," Muhammad said. "Maybe there's one person or a group of people that is not related to any of the street organizations that are doing this on their own for some other reason, other than the normal reasons people think gun violence would take place."
He said he has been in contact with city leaders regarding the investigation. He hopes to coordinate town hall meetings for residents, employees, and community members in Stockton to discuss public safety.
The dates for those town halls have not been decided at this time.
Stockton's faith-based groups are also trying to support residents. Pastor Karloz Velazquez is with Victory Outreach Stockton. His advice echoes what police have been telling people about avoiding walking alone.
"If you see something suspicious, we have to take the initiative now, Velazquez said.
He is encouraging anyone with information to step forward and reach out to law enforcement.
A public safety town hall is happening Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. at Victory in Praise Church on East Harding Way. The town hall was put together by Faith in the Valley and city leaders. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
According to the town hall's agenda, the mayor and police chief will be in attendance.
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