Van Surrell Jr., a 29-year-old resident of Stockton, California, tragically lost his life on March 20, 2021. Van was shot and killed outside the front entrance of a Motel 6 on March Lane in Stockton. His family was temporarily staying at the motel after their home had caught fire a few days earlier. On the night of his death, Van's mother, Antrice Knox, heard a gunshot around 12:30 AM but assumed her son was asleep.
It wasn't until a worker at the front desk informed her that her son had been killed that she learned of the tragic event. Van had recently served a prison term and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, which his sister, Ellesse Knox, believes may have contributed to the circumstances leading to his death. She suspects that his mental illness might have led to a misunderstanding that resulted in someone shooting him.
The investigation into Van Surrell Jr.'s death has been challenging for the Stockton Police Department. Despite the efforts of the police and the family's plea for justice, no arrests have been made in connection with his murder. The police have urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in solving the case. The family has been vocal about their desire for justice and closure, highlighting the need to bring attention to Van's mental health struggles and the impact they may have had on his untimely death.
Van Surrell Jr.'s death is part of a tragic pattern for his family, as his father, also named Van Surrell, was killed just a few weeks earlier on January 12, 2021. The elder Van Surrell was shot near Downtown Stockton at the intersection of Sutter Street and Oak Street. The police responded to reports of shots fired and found him inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The family has been grappling with the loss of both father and son in such a short span of time, seeking answers and justice for their loved ones.
The Stockton Police Department continues to investigate both cases, appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators. The family remains hopeful that justice will be served and that the community will come together to help solve these tragic murders. The police have also offered a reward for information leading to an arrest, hoping to incentivize those with knowledge of the incidents to come forward.
