Driver Shot Before Crashing in Stockton, Suspect Flees

Police search for shooter after 24-year-old driver wounded in Sunday evening incident.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:37am

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A 24-year-old driver was shot before crashing his vehicle in Stockton, California on Sunday evening. The driver was heading south on Center Street with a 35-year-old passenger when another vehicle pulled up and the suspect opened fire, striking the driver. The wounded driver then crashed into another vehicle, but the passenger was unharmed. The suspect vehicle fled the scene and police are searching for the shooter.

Why it matters

Violent crime and gun violence remain major concerns in Stockton, which has struggled with high rates of homicides and other violent offenses in recent years. This incident highlights the ongoing public safety challenges the city faces, as well as the need for improved crime prevention and response efforts.

The details

According to police, the 24-year-old driver and his 35-year-old passenger were traveling southbound on Center Street around 6:30 pm on Sunday when another vehicle pulled up alongside them. The suspect in that vehicle then opened fire, striking the driver. The wounded driver then crashed into another vehicle in the area of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The driver was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive, while the passenger was unharmed. The suspect vehicle fled the scene and police are searching for the shooter.

  • The incident occurred around 6:30 pm on Sunday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Stockton Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the shooting and crash incident.

24-year-old driver

The victim who was shot and crashed his vehicle, but is expected to survive his injuries.

35-year-old passenger

The uninjured passenger who was traveling with the 24-year-old driver when the shooting occurred.

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What’s next

Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting and suspect vehicle to contact the Stockton Police Department.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the persistent gun violence challenges facing Stockton, underscoring the need for the city to strengthen its public safety strategies and community-based crime prevention efforts.