An extended-serving California firefighter was fatally shot whereas on obligation early Monday, authorities mentioned.
Vidal “Max” Fortuna, a captain with the Stockton Hearth Division, was shot whereas extinguishing a dumpster fireplace exterior a constructing at about 4:45 a.m., Chief Richard Edwards mentioned in an announcement.
Different firefighters on scene offered assist to Fortuna and took him to the hospital, the place he was pronounced useless, in response to the hearth chief.
Fortuna, a married father of two grown kids, was a member of the division for 21 years.
The suspected shooter, Robert Somerville, 67, was arrested quickly after police arrived at about 5 a.m., CBS 13 reported.
Somerville was jailed and is going through murder and weapons prices. A motive shouldn't be but recognized and a message in search of remark from Stockton police early Tuesday was not instantly returned.
Colleagues, fireplace union brass and metropolis officers remembered Fortuna as a tireless employee who was devoted to saving others.
“Max was the kind of firefighter that confirmed up every single day and by no means complained about his job,” Stockton Firefighters 456 Union president Mario Gardea informed KXTV. “I don’t know many different firefighters who get pleasure from their job as a lot as he did.”
Fortuna additionally volunteered at a church in Modesto. Huge Valley Grace Group Church shared a photograph of the late firefighter taking part in bass on its Fb web page.
“Max was a mild and humble man who beloved God and exhibited many traits of Christ,” the publish reads. “He served faithfully for a few years and at all times introduced his joyful angle and powerful work ethic to our ministry. He will likely be dearly missed.”
A flag at Stockton Metropolis Corridor was at half-staff in honor of Fortuna, town’s mayor mentioned Monday.
“Please be part of me in praying for the household of Captain Max Fortuna and our Stockton firefighter neighborhood, as we grieve this loss,” Mayor Kevin Lincoln tweeted. “It is a sobering reminder of the sacrifices our public security personnel make each day to guard and serve our neighborhood.”
A web-based fundraiser arrange by Stockton’s firefighters union for Fortuna’s household, in the meantime, had surpassed $34,000 as of early Tuesday.
“It's a devastating loss for his spouse, two kids, household and our fireplace division,” the web page reads, including that particulars on Fortuna’s service had been being finalized. “We love you, Max.”
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