News

Tracy Homicide Suspects Charged With Hate Crime

Published

2 years ago

March 18, 2022

STOCKTON – Two suspects appearing in court Friday afternoon in relation to this week’s homicide in Tracy were also charged with the special circumstance of hate crime, officials said.

Co-defendants Christina Lyn Garner and Jeremy Wayne Jones were arraigned in San Joaquin Superior Court on murder charges with the special circumstance alleging the victim was intentionally killed because of his race, color, religion, nationality, or country of origin, according to a press release from the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office. A third defendant, 58 year old Christopher Dimenco, was arraigned on an accessory charge.

On Tuesday night police were called to the Chevron gas station on North Tracy Boulevard for a report of a person shot. Arriving officers found the victim, identified as 30 year old Justin Peoples of Stockton, suffering from a gunshot wound and multiple stab wounds. The investigation led Tracy Police Special Investigations and Special Enforcement teams to Garner and Jones who were taken into custody the following morning on De Ovan Avenue in Stockton.

“There is no room for hate in our community. No one should be victimized because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion” said Tori Verber Salazar, San Joaquin County District Attorney.

“These types of crimes are reprehensible and my administration will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law to hold those who perpetuate hate accountable,” she said in a press release.

“There is no room for hate for Tracy or anywhere,” said Chief Sekou Millington of the Tracy Police Department.

“When community members are victims of crimes related to hate, we will use our resources to bring those responsible to justice.”

The defendants are expected to appear in court before Judge Ronald Northrup on April 4th for further arraignment.

News

Homicide Investigated on Anne Street

Published

6 days ago

September 23, 2023

Carlos Rodriguez

STOCKTON – Authorities investigated a fatal shooting late Saturday morning in a South Stockton neighborhood.

Shortly before noon, officers responded to the area of Anne and Tenth Streets for a report of a person shot. Arriving officers found a 40 year old man who had been shot. Medical personnel pronounced the victim deceased.

Detectives took over the investigation, and no suspect information was available Saturday.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Police at (209) 937-8377 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 where callers can remain anonymous.

News

Sheriff’s Investigation Closes Highway 33

Published

7 days ago

September 22, 2023

Carlos Rodriguez

STANISLAUS COUNTY – An investigation conducted by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office closed down Highway 33 just outside the City of Newman Friday night.

Highway 33 between Stuhr and Anderson Roads was closed due to a large law enforcement presence. Early reports indicate a pursuit involving an armed suspect with shots fired, however no details have been released by officials.

Several witnesses in the area said they saw several law enforcement vehicles speeding up the highway with lights and sirens, followed by several booms from a nearby orchard.

Several agencies were on scene including Newman and Ceres Police Departments, California Highway Patrol and Merced County Sheriff’s Office. Some officials stated they came from as far as Los Banos due to the severity of the situation.

One ambulance was seen leaving the scene with lights and siren, presumably with the involved suspect.

Further details will be released as they are made available.

News

Murder-Suicide Attempt Claims Life of Child

Published

3 months ago

July 13, 2023

Carlos Rodriguez

MODESTO – A man shot and killed an eight year old girl before turning the gun on himself Wednesday evening, according to officials with the Modesto Police Department.

Shortly before 7:00pm, officers were dispatched to a home on the 3700 block of Havenhurst Court for a report of a suicidal person. Arriving officers saw the person through the window of the home armed with a gun. After officers attempted to communicate, the person told officers he was going to come out of the home unarmed.

Before the man exited, officers heard gunfire from inside the residence. Additional officers and deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist. When police entered the home they found 50 year old Donovan Halstead suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Halstead’s eight year old daughter was also found shot in the home. Emergency responders tried to save her life, but she died from her injuries.

Halstead was taken to a hospital but was not expected to survive.

Officials with the Violent Crimes Unit responded to take over the investigation.