Veteran Stockton firefighter has died after being shot working downtown fire: ‘Worst nightmare’

Angelaydet Rocha, The Record
·2 min read
A Stockton Fire Department vehicle at the scene of the shooting of a firefighter Monday morning at Aurora and Washington streets, Stockton.
A Stockton Fire Department vehicle at the scene of the shooting of a firefighter Monday morning at Aurora and Washington streets, Stockton.

7:45 p.m.: Man arrested in fatal shooting of firefighter identified

STOCKTON – Robert Somerville has been identified as the 67-year-old man arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Stockton Fire Capt. Vidal "Max" Fortuna.

Stockton Police released information of the ID through social media.

Police announced early Monday that a 67-year-old man had been taken into custody but did not release his name until the evening. No additional details of Somerville have been released.

Somerville was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on homicide and weapons charges. Located at the scene was a .380-caliber handgun. The shooting remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Stockton Police at (209) 937-8377.

‘Everybody loved Max’: Mourning begins for Stockton fire captain fatally shot at working fire

11 a.m.: Firefighter has died, officials say

STOCKTON – Fire Capt. Max Fortuna, who was shot while working a fire in Stockton early Monday, has died, public safety officials announced at a news conference.

Engine 2 received a call for a Dumpster fire near Aurora and Washington streets near the Crosstown Freeway at about 4:45 a.m. Fortuna, 47, was hit by gunfire as crews worked the scene.

A 67-year-old man has been arrested by police.

Fortuna, 47, served the Fire Department for more than 21 years. He is survived by a wife and two children.

"This is my worst nightmare as a fire chief," Stockton Fire Chief Rick Edwards said. "My message to my firefighters is to be strong, my heart breaks with you but we will get through this."

The shooting remains under investigation, officials said.

8:50 a.m.: Firefighter hospitalized after shooting; condition unknown

The Stockton Police Department's mobile command center is at Aurora and Washington streets at the scene of a shooting of a Stockton firefighter Monday morning.
The Stockton Police Department's mobile command center is at Aurora and Washington streets at the scene of a shooting of a Stockton firefighter Monday morning.

STOCKTON — A firefighter was shot while working a fire in Stockton early Monday while working a fire near Aurora and Washington streets near the Crosstown Freeway.

The firefighter was taken to an area hospital, there was no information available on the firefighter's condition, Stockton Police said in a brief Twitter post.

Police have detained someone at the scene, police said on social media.

Return to recordnet.com and see Tuesday's print edition of The Stockton Record for more on this developing story.

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers breaking news. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Live updates: Stockton firefighter shot while working