STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA (AP) – A veteran central California firefighter was fatally shot yesterday when he and others responded to a report of a dumpster fire and authorities arrested a suspect, officials said.
Fire Captain 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.
A 67-year-old man was detained at the scene and officers recovered a firearm, said interim Police Chief Jim Chraska.
“This highlights the dangers public safety faces every day, and again, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Fortuna family,” Chraska said.
