On November 18, 2024, at approximately 6:44 p.m., Stockton police officers responded to reports of a shooting near East Park and North California streets. Upon arrival, they discovered two male victims with gunshot wounds: 30-year-old Richard Anthony Guerrero III and an 18-year-old man. Both individuals were transported to a local hospital, where Guerrero succumbed to his injuries, marking Stockton's 45th homicide of the year.
The 18-year-old victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and subsequently released.
In the days following the incident, the Stockton Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Task Force, conducted an investigation that led to the arrest of 22-year-old De’Arius Wilson on November 26, 2024. Wilson was apprehended without incident and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on multiple charges, including suspicion of murder, attempted murder, carrying a loaded firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a controlled substance while armed. He is being held without bail and is scheduled for arraignment on December 2, 2024.
The arrest of Wilson contributes to Stockton's ongoing efforts to address violent crime in the city. As of November 7, 2024, the Stockton Police Department reported a homicide clearance rate of 57% for the 42 homicides recorded up to that date, which is above the national average of 52%. This case exemplifies the collaborative efforts between local law enforcement and federal agencies to bring perpetrators to justice and provide some measure of closure to the victims' families.
The community continues to mourn the loss of Richard Guerrero III, whose life was tragically cut short. An obituary notes that Guerrero, born on January 21, 1994, in Stockton, California, left behind cherished memories with his family and friends. Services were held in his honor, providing an opportunity for loved ones to pay their respects and celebrate his life.
