Stockton fire captain dies after being shot while battling fire, police say

STOCKTON, Calif. — Hundreds of North Valley firefighters and officers paid their respects after a fire captain was shot and killed on the job Monday.

An investigation is underway and a 67-year-old man is now in custody.

Stockton Fire Department Chief Rick Edwards shared a message directly to his firefighters as he announced 47-year-old Fire Captain Vidal “Max” Fortuna was shot and killed while on duty.

“My heart breaks with you, but we will get through this,” Stockton Fire Department Chief Rick Edwards said to his firefighters during a press conference Monday morning.

The 21-year veteran was a husband and father to two grown children.

A procession took place as Fortuna’s body was moved from San Joaquin County Hospital to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department.

Firefighters carried his flag-draped casket inside.

“Max was a firefighter who showed up every day and never complained about being on the job,” said Mario Gardea, the president of the Stockton Firefighters Union 456.

It was just before 5 in the morning when firefighters responded to a dumpster fire close to a building at Washington and Aurora Street.

Officials say, as they were trying to put out the fire, shots were fired.

Stockton Police responded and took a 67-year-old man into custody.

They also recovered a firearm at the scene.

Investigators have not released details about what led up to the shooting, but Robert Somerville III says his dad, Robert Somerville Jr., is the man police have in custody.

He believes this was all a terrible accident.

“First off, I want to say my condolences to the firefighters’ family. Like it’s truly, I could not even, I would not even want to be in that situation right now,” said Somerville III.

He said his dad uses the building for a variety of things, but mainly, to build food trucks.

He said his father works late hours and, many times, falls asleep at the shop.

The warehouse, so large, Somerville III said it’s impossible to hear someone knock on the door.

He thinks his dad may have been startled awake and was trying to protect himself.

“It’s my understanding that my dad thought someone was breaking in,” said Somerville III.

Action News reached out to the Stockton Police Department to see if the suspect they have in custody will be arrested and, if so, what charges he will be booked on.

Officials say they’re still working with the district attorney to make that determination.