Stockton police are investigating a shooting that injured a member of the city’s Violence Prevention team on Wednesday.
Police said the Violence Prevention team member suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and is expected to survive. There is currently no suspect information related to the shooting, according to police.
On Wednesday at 11:45 a.m., Stockton police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1300 block of South Van Buren Street in the Seaport District.
At the scene, officers found a 47-year-old man with a gunshot wound and transported him to a hospital. Police said a vehicle drove by the man and someone inside the car shot him.
Vice Mayor Jason Lee issued a statement on Thursday regarding the shooting, calling for immediate action for additional public safety infrastructure.
“This shooting occurred in District 5 — an area where I have repeatedly advocated for the establishment of a police substation. Unfortunately, those recommendations have been rejected by the City Council,” Lee said in the statement.
“I am once again calling on my colleagues to reconsider this critical investment. We cannot continue reacting to violence after it occurs when we have the opportunity to strengthen prevention and enhance police visibility before tragedy strikes,” he said.
At the next City Council meeting, Lee said he will formally request that the Police Department give a presentation on crime trends in each district, identify where resources are needed and share where they need more support from the City Council.
“Over the past several weeks, Stockton has experienced seven homicides,” Lee said in the statement. “Now, one of the very individuals working every day to interrupt violence and make our neighborhoods safer has become the victim of gun violence while serving our community. This is heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the Stockton Police Department at 209-937-8377 or [email protected].
