Alleged Stockton serial killer Wesley Brownlee now faces seven counts of murder, according to an updated press release from the San Joaquin County district attorney.
According to the statement, Brownlee is now believed to be responsible for the murders of seven individuals and the attempted murder of a woman — the sole survivor of his months-long rampage. Brownlee, 43, was participating in what police described as a "hunt" that stretched across multiple California counties. He was initially charged with three counts of murder for the deaths of Jonathan Hernandez Rodriguez, 21; Juan Cruz, 42; and Lawrence Lopez Sr., 54.
At that time, District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar suggested that his office knew the connection to the other victims existed and that more charges would be forthcoming.
The following charges have been added to the complaint against Brownlee:
Natasha LaTour, who police described as a 46-year-old black woman, was allegedly wounded in Brownlee's botched attempt to murder her. As the sole survivor of an encounter with Brownlee, LaTour could still not provide any information on a possible motive behind Brownlee's murder spree. Apart from providing police with a physical description of her attacker, LaTour said that Brownlee did not speak as he approached her and opened fire.
“The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office continues to collaborate with our local law enforcement agencies to ensure justice for these victims,” said Salazar. “We would like to thank the community for their support and law enforcement for their diligent investigation and apprehension of the suspect.”
Brownlee will return to court on Jan. 3 in order to be arraigned on the new charges.
