STOCKTON (CBS13) — A firefighter was shot and killed while responding to a call in Stockton early Monday morning.
The Stockton Fire Department firefighter who was killed has been identified as 47-year-old Captain Videl “Max” Fortuna.
Around 4:55 a.m. firefighters, including Fortuna’s Engine #2, responded to the report of a fire in a dumpster impinging on a structure in the area of Aurora and Market streets. As firefighters were battling the fire, gunshots were heard and Fortuna was hit.
Firefighters transported Fortuna to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Fortuna was a 21-year veteran of the Department. He leaves behind a wife and two grown children.
At a press conference Monday, Stockton Firefighters 456 Union President Mario Gardea said, in part:
“Today is a tragic day and tragic day…for Max Fortuna’s family. A tragic day to the family, his family at the fire station. Max was a was a firefighter who showed up every day and never complained about being on the job…Max will be was always considered a legacy firefighter and he’s gonna be missed.”
Stockton police were notified of the shooting just after 5 a.m. They responded to the scene and arrested a 67-year-old suspect. They also recovered a gun believed to be involved in the shooting. A police spokesperson says the investigation into the incident is ongoing.