A member of Stockton’s Office of Violence Prevention was shot July 15 in south Stockton and hospitalized, Vice Mayor Jason Lee said, though police declined to confirm the victim’s identity or occupation.
Officers responded at about 11:45 a.m. to the 1300 block of South Van Buren Street after receiving a report of a person shot, according to the Stockton Police Department.
Officers found the victim, a 47-year-old man, suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. He was taken to a local hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
Officer David Scott, a spokesperson for the Stockton Police Department, said no suspect information was immediately available, and the investigation remains ongoing.
“Unfortunately, due to the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we are not able to confirm the victim’s identity or occupation,” Scott said.
Police did not confirm whether the member was on duty at the time of the shooting or whether investigators believe the shooting was related to the member’s work. The department also did not say whether the Office of Violence Prevention has previously experienced incidents involving violence against outreach or violence prevention staff.
In a statement issued to reporters July 16, Lee said the victim is a member of the city’s Office of Violence Prevention. The Office of Violence Prevention works with people considered at high risk of becoming involved in gun or gang violence, connecting them with services and providing outreach intended to reduce violent crime.
Lee did not identify the victim by name but called for additional public safety measures.
“Over the past several weeks, Stockton has experienced seven homicides,” Lee said. “Now, one of the very individuals working every day to interrupt violence and make our neighborhoods safer has become the victim of gun violence while serving our community. This is heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
Stockton recorded 16 homicides in the first half of 2026, including seven in June, making it the city’s deadliest June in nearly a decade.
Lee said the incident was “another painful reminder that public safety must remain Stockton’s highest priority, and we must ensure the people doing this critical work have the support and protection they deserve.”
Lee renewed his call for a police substation in District 5, saying those recommendations have been rejected by the Stockton City Council in the past. He said the shooting occurred where he has repeatedly advocated for a stronger law enforcement presence.
“I am once again calling on my colleagues to reconsider this critical investment,” Lee said. “We cannot continue reacting to violence after it occurs when we have the opportunity to strengthen prevention and enhance police visibility before tragedy strikes.”
Lee said he will formally request at an upcoming city council meeting that Stockton Police Department leadership provide a comprehensive presentation on crime trends in each council district, identify where resources are most needed and outline what additional support is needed from the city council and the community to make Stockton safer.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377 or submit an anonymous tip through Stockton Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600. Tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Office of Violence Prevention member shot in south Stockton, vice mayor says
Reporting by Hannah Workman, The Stockton Record / The Record
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By Hannah Workman, The Stockton Record | USA TODAY Network
