After weeks of a court trial, a 68-year-old man has been convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting a Stockton fire captain last year.

Stockton Fire Capt. Vidal “Max” Fortuna was fatally shot Jan. 31, 2022, while responding to a fire behind a business. (Photo courtesy of Stockton Fire Department)

On Jan. 31, 2022, Stockton Fire Capt. Vidal “Max” Fortuna was shot and killed by Robert Somerville while responding to a Dumpster fire in the back of a warehouse at 142 S. Aurora St. in Stockton. A San Joaquin County Superior Court jury found Somerville guilty Tuesday of the murder charge and connected gun allegations.

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Victoria Franco is a Stockton-based reporter covering the diverse news around the Central Valley as part of the Report for America program. As a Stockton native, Franco is proud to cover stories within her community and report a variety of coverage. She is a San Jose State University alumna with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. In her collegiate years she was Managing Editor for the Spartan Daily. From her time at the Spartan Daily she helped lead her staff to California College Media Awards and a General Excellence first place. Victoria encourages readers to email her story tips and ideas at victoria.franco@baycitynews.com.