Key Takeaways
- Stockton recorded 16 homicides in the first half of 2026, with seven in June alone—the highest June toll since 2015.
- Police Chief Stanley McFadden vowed a crackdown, stating violent crime 'will not be tolerated.'
- Most June homicides occurred in District 5 (downtown/south Stockton) and District 1 (north Stockton).
- Only one arrest has been made in the seven June homicides, as of early July.
- Non-fatal shootings also rose, with 43 reported year-to-date compared to 48 in 2025.
- Two additional homicides occurred on July 5, 2026, in separate shootings, with victims identified as Chap Narypech, 42, and Milton Moore III, 36.
- Stockton has been named California’s second-most dangerous city in a new analysis by Reolink, based on 2023 FBI crime data.
Introduction
Stockton experienced a dramatic spike in homicides during June 2026, with seven killings reported—the most in a single month in nearly a decade. The surge has prompted a strong response from police leadership and renewed concerns about public safety in the San Joaquin County city. The violence continued into July, with two more homicides on July 5. Adding to the city's challenges, a recent analysis by Reolink ranked Stockton as California’s second-most dangerous city, based on 2023 FBI crime data.
June Violence: A Grim Milestone
According to data from the Stockton Police Department, the city recorded seven homicides in June 2026, compared to just two in June 2025. This marks the deadliest June since 2015, when six or more homicides were last reported in that month. The victims ranged in age from 16 to 43, with most dying from gunshot wounds; one was fatally stabbed.
Police Chief Stanley McFadden acknowledged the spike in a statement, saying, 'Over the past month, our community has experienced a series of senseless acts of violence, including multiple homicides and shootings.' He emphasized that investigators are aggressively pursuing unsolved cases and urged the community to report tips. McFadden told families of victims that the police department was with them during this time of grief. “To those who have lost loved ones or have been directly impacted by these crimes, our thoughts remain with you,” McFadden said in the statement. “We remain committed to pursuing justice on your behalf and to ensuring those responsible are held accountable.” McFadden reminded the community that “while enforcement is critical, public safety is a shared responsibility.” He said police need the continued support of the community. Those who may have witnessed a crime, have surveillance footage, or have information about an investigation are urged to come forward.
McFadden added that violent crime would not be tolerated.
While the Stockton Police Department said data show a “significant decrease” in homicides over the past five years, some Stockton residents feel one homicide is already too many. “We understand that one homicide is too many,” Edhah said. “We conduct high-visibility missions and our officers continue to be proactive to mitigate further violence.”
Geographic Concentration
Most of June's homicides occurred in two areas: District 5, which includes downtown and parts of south Stockton, and District 1 in north Stockton. One of the most serious non-fatal shootings occurred on June 26 in District 5, where four people—including children and an infant—were injured on Plantation Place. About 20 minutes later, a separate shooting near Hunter and Sonora streets killed a 36-year-old man.
Victims and Arrests
As of July 2, only one arrest had been made in connection with the June homicides: Zion Gary was arrested on June 24 for the fatal stabbing of Charles Ray Clay IV. The other six cases remain unsolved. Victims include Khalid Lisimba Lanier, 43; Valentino Mark Gilmore, 16; Narcissa Nicole Frye-Brown, 30; Marquese Ramond Rankins, 25; Xavier Cipriano Galvez, 18; and Joe Badillo Jr., 30. Santa Clara resident Narcissa Nicole Frye-Brown, 30, was killed on June 15 in a shooting in the 600 block of West Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Police noted that in most cases, victims and suspects were acquainted. 'An unsolved case does not mean a case has been forgotten,' said Officer Omer Edhah, a police spokesperson. 'Our detectives continue to actively review evidence, pursue new leads, and leverage advances in technology and forensic science whenever possible.' Edhah said every victim deserves justice, and every case matters to the department.
Local California Context
Stockton, a city of about 320,000 in San Joaquin County, has seen a long-term decline in homicides—from 36 in 2025 (the lowest in seven years) to 16 through the first half of 2026. However, the June surge has alarmed residents and officials alike. Antonio 'Tone' Hernandez, an outreach worker with the city's Office of Violence Prevention, called the violence 'horrible' and 'terrible,' noting the toll on families.
The spike comes amid broader statewide discussions about public safety and gun violence. Stockton police have increased high-visibility patrols and are leveraging forensic technology to solve cases. Out of the 16 reported homicides this year, Stockton police said eight of them have resulted in an arrest as of July 2. Data tracked by The Stockton Record show the ages of those killed ranged from 16 to 80 years old. The youngest person fatally shot was 16-year-old Valentino Mark Gilmore, who was killed on June 13 while driving in Hickock Court; he was shot and his vehicle crashed into a tree. Two men who had just turned 18 were also among those killed: Andrew Manuel Saldivar on April 7 and Xavier Cipriano Galvez on June 22. The first homicide of 2026 was reported on Jan. 27, when Andre Bragg, 33, was shot and killed in the 300 block of East Park Street.
According to a new analysis by Reolink, a home safety and security company, Stockton ranks as California’s second-most dangerous city, based on 2023 FBI crime data. The company reported that Stockton has 9.82 violent crimes and 42.15 property crimes per 1,000 residents. Its homicide rate of 1.52 per 1,000 residents ranks among the nation’s highest, driven by gang activity in southside neighborhoods. Car thefts stand at about 15.8 incidents per 1,000 residents annually. The analysis placed Oakland first, San Bernardino third, and Compton fourth.
Reolink's analysis also provided context for other California cities. Oakland tops the list with 10.27 violent crimes and 58.93 property crimes per 1,000 residents, and high rates of aggravated assaults (6.2 per 1,000) and vehicle break-ins (22.4 per 1,000). San Bernardino placed third with 7.98 violent crimes and 38.72 property crimes per 1,000 residents, struggling with armed robberies (3.0 per 1,000) and burglaries (12.6 per 1,000), particularly near the I-215 corridor, with worsening meth-related crimes. Compton ranked fourth with 7.45 violent crimes and 35.28 property crimes per 1,000 residents; gang violence contributes to 65% of homicides (1.21 per 1,000), and catalytic converter thefts have surged to 9.3 incidents per 1,000. Richmond rounded out the top five with 7.12 violent crimes and 33.91 property crimes per 1,000 residents; the Iron Triangle neighborhood accounts for 42% of the city's aggravated assaults (4.3 per 1,000), and vehicle thefts occur at 11.2 incidents per 1,000. Modesto placed sixth with 6.89 violent crimes and 32.84 property crimes per 1,000; domestic violence incidents (2.8 per 1,000) and retail theft (9.1 per 1,000) drive these numbers, with crime increasing by 8% year-over-year in Westside districts. Vallejo ranked seventh with 6.72 violent crimes and 31.97 property crimes per 1,000; armed robberies (2.6 per 1,000) are concentrated along Sonoma Boulevard, and residential burglaries occur at 8.9 incidents per 1,000. Salinas placed eighth with 6.53 violent crimes and 31.12 property crimes per 1,000; agricultural worker communities see elevated assault rates (4.1 per 1,000), and vehicle thefts have increased by 14% year-over-year to 10.3 per 1,000. Bakersfield ranked ninth with 6.31 violent crimes and 30.05 property crimes per 1,000; the metro area's oil field worker population correlates with higher DUI arrests (3.2 per 1,000), and home burglaries occur at 7.8 incidents per 1,000. San Francisco placed tenth with 6.05 violent crimes and 72.34 property crimes per 1,000; the Tenderloin district accounts for 38% of the city's robberies (2.3 per 1,000), and car break-ins reach staggering levels at 41.2 incidents per 1,000. At the other end of the spectrum, Danville ranked as the safest city in California.
Reolink also noted that based on early 2026 data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association, crime in California is not increasing; instead, violent crime is showing a clear downward trend across major cities. Homicides have dropped by 18% and robberies by 19% year-over-year in early 2026, with declines reported in every major city that submitted data, including notable reductions in both Oakland and San Francisco.
July 2026: Continued Violence
The violence extended into July. On July 5, two men were killed in separate shootings. The San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victims as Chap Narypech, 42, and Milton Moore III, 36, both of Stockton. The first shooting occurred at 12:15 a.m. in the 200 block of East March Lane, near a Food 4 Less. Officers found Narypech with a gunshot wound; he died at a hospital. The second shooting was reported at 3 a.m. in the 7900 block of Montgomery Avenue, where Moore was found with a gunshot wound and later died. Detectives are investigating both cases.
A candlelight vigil was held July 6 at American Legion Park for Moore, and a car wash fundraiser is scheduled for July 10 at 326 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., hosted by the Stockton Office of Violence Prevention and Moore's family to help cover funeral expenses.
Conclusion
Stockton's June homicide surge underscores the volatility of violent crime even as long-term trends improve. With seven families grieving and most cases still open, police are calling for community cooperation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Stockton Police Department. 'If you see something, say something,' Chief McFadden said.