On August 16, 2016, Colby Friday, a 30-year-old African American man, was fatally shot by Stockton Police Officer David Wells in the parking lot of Peña's Market on East Jamestown Street in Stockton, California. Officer Wells was on patrol when he observed Mr. Friday, who he believed resembled a suspect wanted for domestic violence. The suspect was described as an African American male, approximately 6 feet tall, with dreadlocks. Mr.
Friday, who matched this general description, was not the individual sought by police.
According to the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, Officer Wells approached Mr. Friday, who then fled. During the pursuit, Officer Wells claimed that Mr. Friday dropped a handgun and, upon picking it up, was ordered to drop the weapon. When Mr. Friday allegedly did not comply, Officer Wells fired his service weapon, striking Mr. Friday multiple times. Mr. Friday was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A loaded. 45 caliber semi-automatic handgun was reportedly recovered at the scene.
The incident sparked controversy, particularly because Officer Wells did not activate his body-worn camera during the encounter, violating department policy. Witnesses and family members disputed the official account, asserting that Mr. Friday was unarmed and shot in the back while fleeing. A witness claimed to have heard Officer Wells threaten to shoot Mr. Friday in the back before firing.
In 2017, Mr. Friday's family filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Stockton, the Stockton Police Department, Police Chief Eric Jones, and Officer Wells. The lawsuit alleged that Mr. Friday's civil and constitutional rights were violated and that the police department attempted to control the narrative by issuing misleading statements.
In 2018, the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office concluded that Officer Wells' use of deadly force was justified under the circumstances and declined to file criminal charges.
In March 2021, the City of Stockton agreed to a $3.25 million settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Mr. Friday's daughters. Despite the settlement, Officer Wells remained employed by the Stockton Police Department.
