Stockton, California — The morning started like any other for most people in the city, but it ended in tragedy for the family of Damon Richard James Owens, a 42-year-old man whose life was cut short in a sudden shooting behind a store on Pacific Avenue. Loved ones say the news hit them like a wave they never saw coming.
Authorities say the shooting happened early Tuesday morning, April 7, 2026, just before dawn. Officers with the Stockton Police Department were called out around 5:09 a.m. to reports of gunfire behind a Michaels store in the 7600 block of Pacific Avenue. When officers arrived, they found Damon suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency responders rushed him to a nearby hospital. Medical staff worked to save his life, but he did not survive his injuries. His death was later confirmed by the San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Officials also clarified that early reports listed his age incorrectly. Damon was 42 years old, not 32 as first believed. That correction only deepened the heartbreak for those who knew him, who are now trying to make sense of the loss.
Investigators are still working to understand what led to the shooting. As of the latest update, no suspect has been identified. Police say the case remains open and active, with detectives continuing to collect information from the scene and nearby witnesses.
By April 8, the yellow tape that once blocked off the area had been removed, but police were still seen in the area, quietly continuing their work. The scene may have cleared, but the questions have not.
For the Stockton community, this marks another painful milestone. Damon’s death is now recorded as the seventh homicide in the city this year, adding to growing concerns about gun violence and public safety.
Those closest to him are left with grief that feels heavy and personal. Friends describe a sudden void, a life gone too quickly, and a reality that still feels unreal as they wait for answers and justice.
