STOCKTON, Calif. (KNX) – Police made an arrest in connection to the shooting death of a Stockton Fire Captain Monday.
Robert Somerville, 67, was arrested in connection to the death of Captain Vidal "Max" Fortuna, according to the Stockton Police Department.
Somerville was booked into San Joaquin County Jail on murder charges.
Detectives arrested Robert Somerville, 67, in connection to the shooting death of Stockton Fire Captain Vidal "Max" Fortuna. Somerville was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on homicide and weapons charges. The weapon located at the scene was a .380 caliber handgun. pic.twitter.com/XNDjnbP8ec
— Stockton Police Dept (@StocktonPolice) February 1, 2022
Captain Fortuna was shot early Monday morning while he and other firefighters responded to a dumpster fire in the area Washington and Aurora Streets, the Stockton Fire Department said on their Facebook page.
"Max was a was a firefighter who showed up every day and never complained about being on the job…Max will be was always considered a legacy firefighter and he's gonna be missed," Stockton Firefighters 456 Union President Mario Gardea said during a press conference.
Stockton Police said when they responded to the scene, they found a .380 caliber handgun at the scene.
Somerville's family released the following statement, according to CBS Sacramento:
"Words alone will never be enough to express the devastation and sorrow that we feel for Stockton Professional Firefighter Max Fortuna's wife and two children. I can assure Firefighter Fortuna's immediate Family, and all who care for Mr. Fortuna that this was not an intentional callous act in the death of Mr. Fortuna.
"Robert 'Bob' Somerville 67 is not a violent person and is a long-standing business owner (and former engineer) in the Stockton community… for over 30 years. He operates his business, and resides in the warehouse that was adjacent to where the fire occurred at 5:00am this morning.
"Having been a victim of constant attempted break-ins, due to his business/home being located in an area plagued with the highest concentration of homeless individuals, Mr. Somerville as recently as 1 week ago reinforced parts of his property to add an additional layer of security. It is our understanding that Mr. Somerville believed his property was being burglarized, which led to this horrific chain of tragic events.
"We just ask that the Fortuna Family and public please withhold judgment on the state of mind and intent of Mr. Somerville until all of the facts come to light."
