Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 7:59
Stockton police responded to two fatal shootings in the early hours of Sunday, July 5, marking a violent end to the Fourth of July weekend. The incidents, occurring in separate districts, left two men dead and no suspects in custody. Police confirmed the two shootings are not connected.
At approximately 12:15 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of East March Lane in the Lakeview District after reports of a shooting. The shooting occurred near a Food 4 Less grocery store. They found a 42-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries, according to the Stockton Police Department. The victim has been identified as Chap Narypech, 42, of Stockton, by the San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Hours later, around 3 a.m., another shooting was reported in the 7900 block of Montgomery Avenue near Amherst Drive in the Bear Creek District. A 36-year-old man was discovered at the scene with at least one gunshot wound. He also died after being taken to a hospital. The victim has been identified as Milton Moore III, 36, of Stockton. A candlelight vigil was held July 6 at American Legion Park in Stockton for Moore. Family members and loved ones gathered at the park to remember their loved one with candles lit in his memory. A car wash fundraiser will be held for Moore from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 10, at 326 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The event will be hosted by the Stockton Office of Violence Prevention and the family and friends of Moore, according to the event flyer. “Our family is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Milton Moore III. We are raising funds to help cover funeral and burial expenses,” the family said in a car wash flyer. “Every donation, no matter the amount, is greatly appreciated.” Police have not identified either victim publicly pending notification of family. The San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office said the names of the men killed would not be released yet due to pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.
Both shootings occurred in Stockton, the largest city in San Joaquin County. The Lakeview District is a residential area near the University of the Pacific, while Bear Creek is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the city. The violence underscores ongoing public safety challenges in the region.
The July 5 killings follow a troubling trend: Stockton experienced seven homicides in June 2026, the highest number for that month since 2015. Police Chief Stanley McFadden acknowledged the surge, vowing to crack down on violent crime. According to department data, there were 16 homicides in the first half of 2026, compared to 18 during the same period in 2025. Most June homicides occurred in District 5 (downtown and south Stockton) and District 1 (north Stockton).
As investigations continue, Stockton police urge anyone with information about these shootings to contact the department. The recent violence highlights the need for community vigilance and collaborative efforts to reduce gun crime in the city.
