(KMJ) – Valley police and fire departments continue to share their condolences after a Stockton Fire Captain is shot and killed while battling a blaze early Monday morning.
Here is the statement Stockton Fire Chief Richard Edwards shared on the department’s Facebook page:
“This morning at approximately 4:45 a.m. the Stockton Fire Department’s Emergency Communications Division received a 911 call for a dumpster fire in the area of Washington and Aurora Streets. Engine 2 arrived on the scene a short time later and found a dumpster fire impinging on a structure. As firefighters were extinguishing the fire, gunshots were heard, and the Fire Captain of Engine 2 had been struck. Firefighters quickly transitioned to providing EMS care and transported him to the hospital.
I’m devastated to report that Veteran Fire Captain Max Fortuna has succumbed to his injuries. Captain Fortuna served the City of Stockton for 21 years and leaves behind a wife and two grown children. I ask you to keep Captain Fortuna’s family and the Stockton Fire Department family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Stockton Police say 67-year-old Robert Somerville has been identified as the man arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Fire Captain Fortuna.
Somerville was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on homicide and weapons charges.
