Suspected Stockton serial killer Wesley Brownlee faces 4 additional murder charges, attempted murder charge
STOCKTON — Suspected Stockton serial killer Wesley Brownlee now faces four additional murder charges and an attempted murder charge after prosecutors filed an amended complaint, the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office said Tuesday.
Two of the new murder charges relate to the shooting deaths of Juan Alexander Vasquez and Mervin Harmon, both in Alameda County. The other two relate to the shooting deaths of Paul Yaw and Salvador Debudey, Jr., both in San Joaquin County.
The attempted murder charge is tied to Natasha LaTour. LaTour, the only known survivor, was shot by the accused serial killer and spoke to CBS13 back in October outside Brownlee's first court appearance. "I couldn't imagine being in his situation, so I prayed fo him," LaTour said, noting that Brownlee did not make eye-contact. At that time, LaTour's attempted murder wasn't one of the charges, but that changed this week.
What we know now: it's believed LeTour's attempted murder was Brownlee's second shooting in the early morning hours of April 16th 2021. Harmon's killing happened in Oakland and LaTour was shot, while living unhoused on the street in Stockton just after 3 a.m. on the same day.
Timeline of Suspected Serial Killings
April 10, 2021
At 4:18 a.m. on April 10th, 2021 Juan Alexander Vasquez, previously identified as Juan Miguel Vasquez Serrano, was shot and killed in Oakland, California.
April 16, 2021
In the early morning hours of April 16th, Mervin Harmon, was shot and killed in Oakland, California. His family told CBS13 they have waited for answers as to who was responsible for more than a year, until recently, when Brownlee was charged with his murder.
Hours after Harmon's shooting death, prosecutors believe Brownlee left Oakland and went to Stockton. Natasha LaTour, 47, the only known survivor of Brownlee, was shot multiple times and survived. At the time, she was living on Park and Union Streets in Stockton.
"There were no words exchanged. Didn't come any closer. Didn't say anything. Just started shooting. I saw, I saw flashes," said LaTour when interviewed months after her attempted murder.
July 8, 2022
At 12:31 a.m. on July 8th, 2022 Paul Yaw, 35, was ambushed at a park in Stockton on the 5600 block of Kermit Lane.
August 11, 2022
At 9:49 p.m. on the 4900 block of West Lane Salvador Debudey Jr., 43, was killed.
August 30, 2022
At 6:41 a.m. Jonathan Hernandez Rodriguez, 21, was shot and killed on the 800 Block of East Hammer Lane.
September 21, 2022
At 4:27 a.m. on the 4400 Block of Manchester Avenue Juan Cruz, 42, was found dead in Stockton.
September 27, 2022
At 1:53 a.m. on the 900 Block of Porter Avenue in Stockton 54-year-old Lawrence Lopez, also identified by family as Lorenzo, was shot and killed.
Stockton Police Announce Killings are Linked
Three days after Lopez's death, Stockton Police announce all of the 2022 killings were linked and as such, met the definition of "serial killings." At the same press conference, they release a photo of a person of interest dressed in all black caught on security camera video near where one of the victim's was found dead.
Days later, SPD announced the same person was linked to Vasquez's killing. This would be followed by the release of a video that shows a person of interest.
In the video, Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden called on the public to note the person's walk and pace. He said he believed the community may recognize the way the person in the video walked and could help identify them.
October 15, 2022
Stockton Police announced Wesley Brownlee, 43, was arrested while "out hunting." He was apprehended by authorities around 2 a.m. after SPD received tips that led them to Brownlee, according to Chief McFadden. Brownlee was observed leaving his house in Stockton and was later arrested in the area of Village Green Drive and Winslow Way.
At the time of his arrest, he was accused of shooting seven people, and killing six.
When police pulled Brownlee over, he was allegedly dressed in black and had a black mask around his neck. He also had a firearm in possession, McFadden said.
October 18, 2022: First set of charges
Brownlee appeared in a San Joaquin County courtroom for the first time in October and was charged with five counts related to the killings. In attendance were family members of some of the victims and LaTour, the only known survivor.
The first set of charges included three counts of murder; Jonathan Hernandez, Juan Cruz, and Lawrence Lopez, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon.
Brownlee was held without bail.
December 27, 2022: Second set of charges
The San Joaquin County District Attorneys Office announced five more charges: three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
The counts for murder included the shooting deaths of Juan Alexander Vasquez, Mervin Harmon, Paul Yaw, and Salvador Debudey Jr.
The fifth charge was for the attempted murder of Natasha LaTour in Stockton.
In a statement to CBS13, about the delay between the first and second set of charges, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County District Attorneys Office wrote: "...this is an ongoing investigation with numerous agencies- Stockton Police Department, Oakland Police Department, the FBI, and both our office and Alameda County District Attorney's Office, to name a few. We only file charges we feel we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt."
Brownlee will be arraigned on these charges on January 3rd.
