STOCKTON, Calif. (NewsNation Now) — A veteran central California firefighter was fatally shot Monday when he and others responded to a report of a dumpster fire. Authorities have arrested a suspect, officials said.
Fire Capt. Vidal “Max” Fortuna was shot before dawn in the city of Stockton and died at a hospital, Stockton Fire Chief Rick Edwards told reporters.
Edwards said the death is his “worst nightmare” as a fire chief.
“My message to my firefighters is to be strong. My heart breaks with you but we will get through this,” he said.
Stockton police arrested Robert Somerville, 67, on homicide and weapons charges.
Somerville, who has no criminal record, owned a food truck business and was living in the building adjacent to the dumpster.
His family released a statement offering condolences and explaining that he had been the victim of constant attempted break-ins and saying “it is our understanding that Mr. Somerville believed his property was being burglarized, which led to this horrific chain of tragic events.”
Fortuna, 47, had been a firefighter for more than two decades and is survived by his wife and two adult children, Edwards said.
“This highlights the dangers public safety faces every day, and again, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Fortuna family,” said interim police Chief Jim Chraska.
Dozens of police and fire department vehicles accompanied Fortuna’s body from the hospital to a funeral home.
The flag at Stockton City Hall was lowered to half-staff in honor of Fortuna.
Although Stockton firefighters have died doing their job, officials said it was likely the first time one was shot while on duty.
“This is something that I’ve never heard of here in the city of Stockton, (a) firefighter being shot and killed,” police Officer Joe Silva told the Stockton Record.