Four Arrested Following Shooting At Stockton Junior High School
STOCKTON (CBS13) — Stockton Police fired shots at suspects on a junior high school campus on Wednesday, after they say the suspects fired an assault rifle at them.
Police led their fourth suspect to a squad car after an hours-long search at the August Knodt Junior High School campus and surrounding park.
Found on the school rooftop, police say he is one of four suspects pulled over in a traffic stop that turned violent.
"One was armed with a high-powered assault rifle," said Officer Joe Silva. "At least one other occupant was armed with some type of handgun."
Police say a foot chase onto the school campus led to an exchange of gunfire that erupted after the suspect with the assault rifle fired on officers first.
Carolina Mendez was at the park next to the school. She said she heard 20 separate gunshots.
"I just saw people running," she said. "Can't go to the park, have a nice day with my friends. Just don't feel safe anymore."
All of this played out to a backdrop of Stockton's 2012 record-breaking violent crime wave and frayed police-community relations, with vocal law-enforcement critics coming to the crime scene, along with nonviolence advocates.
"I'm out here supporting the family," said Carey Downs. "I want to make sure the protocol was initiated, who shot first."
A violent confrontation between officers and alleged gunman on a closed junior-high campus was a reminder that safety is no certainty.
