Stockton serial killer: Police arrest a suspect who was "on a mission to kill"

Stockton, California - Police have arrested a suspect in the investigation of a potential serial killer responsible for six fatal shootings in California.

Police in Stockton arrested a suspect in the potential serial killings on Saturday.
Police in Stockton arrested a suspect in the potential serial killings on Saturday.  © unsplash/@neonbrand

The suspect, Wesley Brownlee, was arrested by police at 2 AM on Saturday morning.

Authorities believe that the 43-year-old was searching for more victims when the arrest was made, as all killings had occurred at night or early morning. He was wearing dark clothing and carrying a firearm at the time.

Brownlee was taken into police custody without a struggle.

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"We watched his patterns and determined early this morning he was on a mission to kill," Stanley McFadden, the chief of the Stockton Police Department, said at a news conference on Saturday, per The New York Times. "He was out hunting."

McFadden said that they are confident that the arrest "stopped another killing."

The search for a suspect was bolstered by significant engagement from the community, as hundreds of tips were submitted to authorities by the public. A $125,000 reward was offered for any information that led to an arrest.

Stockton police confirmed that Brownlee has a criminal record but did not provide specifics about his history or potential motive.

The charges against Brownlee will be announced on Tuesday.

Cover photo: unsplash/@neonbrand

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