STOCKTON, Calif. — Crime scene tape and evidence markers blocked Logan Lane in Stockton Friday morning as police investigated the scene where two 20-year-old women were shot near Ernie Shropshire Park. One of the women was pronounced dead at the scene.
"As that was all unfolding, a second 20-year-old female victim was located in this park area also suffering from a gunshot wound," said Stockton Police spokesman David Scott. "She was transported to an area hospital with what appears to be non-life-threatening injuries."
Sierra Fleming was half asleep when she heard the commotion doors down from her home around 5 a.m.
"I heard like a couple screams and the dog was going crazy next door," said Fleming. "It's a beautiful park. There's always kids here and stuff. You know, nothing like this ever happens way over here."
Fleming and police investigators are now wondering what brought the violence to the Little John Creek neighborhood.
"(Detectives are) trying to process and gather some of this evidence to develop that motive," said Scott, adding that detectives are looking into security cameras in the area. "To figure out what exactly happened, why it happened and what led to this homicide."
With evidence markers scattered across the playground, police had Ernie Shropshire Park closed all morning.
"I always take my kids over there and now, I'm like, 'something happened on that playground,'" said Fleming. "It is scary though. It's so close."
For Raul Chavez and other neighbors, the early morning violence has made them question their own safety. He says he will make changes to his morning run.
"I just seen the tape and the cop cars," said Chavez. "I'll probably shorten up my route... probably just do like around (my street), not the whole entire Little John Creek."
Witnesses and people with information are asked to call detectives at 209-937-8377. Stockton Crime Stoppers is offering anonymity and a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Information can be reported to crime stoppers at 209-946-0600.
With the shooter still out there and no information about their identity, the Little John Creek community is on edge, hoping for a return to peace and quiet.
"Just be careful," said Chavez. "The neighborhood looks safe and all but you see what happened over here... Random but crazy."
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