Stockton serial killings: Hispanic, Latino community concerned about pattern of victims

As a series of connected killings remain unsolved in Stockton, Hispanic and Latino residents are asking police to increase their presence to ensure safety throughout the city.Margarita Flores is a business owner in north Stockton and after 24 years, she's now selling her Mexican restaurant Casa Flores because she's tired of the crime in the city."We need to be extra watchful for any situation like these homicides and avoid more deaths," Flores said.Her restaurant is located on East Hammer Lane, about two minutes away from where 21-year-old Jonathan Hernández Rodríguez, one of the seven victims of the known connected shootings, was killed on Aug. 30.Since then, Flores said that she's closing the restaurant two hours early. From home, she watches the surveillance cameras to make sure that her employees are safe as they walk out, which they do in a group to avoid being alone.But all of this is exhausting for her, so she put Casa Flores for sale and said she currently has two potential buyers. And she's not the only one who's tired of experiencing and witnessing crimes.Alejandro Magallon Vargas said he's scared. He gets out of work late and is extra watchful of his surroundings. Most recently, he's not only worried about his own safety."I'm very scared. Every night when I go to sleep I always think, 'I hope to see my mom another day' because she does work pretty early in the mornings," said Magallon Vargas.Although police haven't confirmed whether the victims have been targeted based on race/ethnicity or whether they're unhoused, Selena Debudey, whose father was also one of the seven victims, finds a strange connection. Her father, Salvador Debudey Jr., 43, was also unhoused."I mean, there are a lot more homeless people that are like every other skin color or race. But, why Hispanics? Why Latinos and Latinas? It doesn't make sense," Debudey said.In total, five of the dead victims were reported to be Hispanic men.About 44% of Stockton's population is Hispanic or Latino, followed by white at 40%, according to U.S. Census data.This year's census of homeless individuals in San Joaquin County shows that 69% of the unhoused population in the county is reported to be white. Of the homeless population, 30% of them were reported to be of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.Although she had an estranged relationship with her father, Selena believes her father deserved better and could've had a longer life had he received the help he needed.Selena hopes this is a wake-up call for Stockton —the city holds the largest homeless population in San Joaquin County — officials to provide more resources for unhoused individuals and to help those struggling with mental health or addiction. "He didn’t always get the dad part right, but deep down, I really do think he tried his hardest," Selena said. "Addiction is a very scary and deadly disease. Once you get a taste, it’s very hard to get out of that hold it has on oneself. It ends up being your safe place, your home. We all loved him very, very, very much and he was always supportive when I and many others needed it the most. Now my dad is with the angels … so happy, healthy, and free. I know he’s watching over me, my brother, and little Bella."Related CoverageStockton serial killings: Everything we know and don't know so farSerial killers are 'very complicated psychologically, to investigate,' experts sayVideo of person of interest released, ballistics connect shootingsHow the Stockton community is coming together amid serial killing fearsWhat we're learning about victims of the Stockton serial killings4 of 7 known victims were homeless