A 21-year veteran of the Stockton Fire Department died Monday after being shot while responding to a dumpster fire in the city, officials announced in a press conference.Capt. Max Fortuna, 47, leaves behind a wife and two grown children.Firefighters were responding to reports of a dumpster fire in the area of Aurora Street and Washington Street when gunshots were heard and Fortuna was struck, officials said.He was taken to a nearby hospital shortly after the shooting where he later died, officials said.A 67-year-old man was detained at the scene, where officers also found a firearm, said Stockton Police Assistant Chief Jim Chraska. That man was later identified by police as Robert Somerville.He added that the man is currently in police custody. There are not believed to be other suspects in the shooting.“This highlights the dangers public safety faces every day. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Fortuna family,” Chraska said.Stockton Fire Chief Rick Edwards called the shooting his “worst nightmare.”He said his message to other firefighters is to be strong. “My heart breaks with you but we will get through this,” he said.“Today is a good representation of the kind of person Max was. Max was a firefighter who showed up every day and never complained about being on the job,” said Mario Gardea, Stockton Professional Firefighters Union president. Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln shared a similar sentiment, and said Fortuna was “one of our heroes.”“This is a sobering reminder of the many sacrifices our firefighters make day in and day out in service to our community. His leadership, his commitment to our city is reflected here by his brothers, his sisters, his community showing relentless support,” Lincoln said. He also called for the Stockton community to show support to the Fortuna family. “The pain that we feel as a community does not compare to the pain that the Fortuna family is experiencing right now, so I make a call to all residents in the city of Stockton to not only show love and support for your Stockton firefighters, but also show an extreme amount of love and support for the Fortuna family,” Lincoln said.Loved ones and community members are sharing how they will remember the firefighter, father, husband, coach and parishioner.”Coach Fortuna” is what countless kids, teens, and now grown adults call Capt. Fortuna.Henry J. Mendoza, the owner of All Sports Training Center in Modesto, told KCRA 3 he coached football and baseball in the region for at least five years.Fortuna coached his and Mendoza’s son, before Fortuna and Mendoza began coaching youth sports together.”He loved showing the kids what to do, how to do it, never raising his voice with them,” Mendoza said.Although the fire captain had a busy work schedule, he made sports a priority.”Every free chance he got he was there,” Mendoza said. “If he wasn’t working, he was with the kids on the field.”Fortuna’s legacy lives on inside the training center’s walls: photos, trophies, banners and jerseys from his time as a coach are still hanging up.All Sports will be hanging a large photo of Mendoza inside, as well.”Something’s got to be done about the violence,” Mendoza said, with tears in his eyes. “It’s just got to stop.”The fallen firefighter was also involved in Modesto’s faith community.The pastor of Big Valley Grace Community Church told KCRA 3 he was a bass player in the church’s ministry.The church released this statement, in part, on its Facebook page:”Max was a gentle and humble man who loved God and exhibited many characteristics of Christ. He served faithfully for many years and always brought his joyful attitude and strong work ethic to our ministry. He will be dearly missed.”
A 21-year veteran of the Stockton Fire Department died Monday after being shot while responding to a dumpster fire in the city, officials announced in a press conference.
Capt. Max Fortuna, 47, leaves behind a wife and two grown children.
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Firefighters were responding to reports of a dumpster fire in the area of Aurora Street and Washington Street when gunshots were heard and Fortuna was struck, officials said.
He was taken to a nearby hospital shortly after the shooting where he later died, officials said.
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A 67-year-old man was detained at the scene, where officers also found a firearm, said Stockton Police Assistant Chief Jim Chraska. That man was later identified by police as Robert Somerville.
He added that the man is currently in police custody. There are not believed to be other suspects in the shooting.
“This highlights the dangers public safety faces every day. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Fortuna family,” Chraska said.
Stockton Fire Chief Rick Edwards called the shooting his “worst nightmare.”
He said his message to other firefighters is to be strong. “My heart breaks with you but we will get through this,” he said.
“Today is a good representation of the kind of person Max was. Max was a firefighter who showed up every day and never complained about being on the job,” said Mario Gardea, Stockton Professional Firefighters Union president.
Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln shared a similar sentiment, and said Fortuna was “one of our heroes.”
“This is a sobering reminder of the many sacrifices our firefighters make day in and day out in service to our community. His leadership, his commitment to our city is reflected here by his brothers, his sisters, his community showing relentless support,” Lincoln said.
He also called for the Stockton community to show support to the Fortuna family.
“The pain that we feel as a community does not compare to the pain that the Fortuna family is experiencing right now, so I make a call to all residents in the city of Stockton to not only show love and support for your Stockton firefighters, but also show an extreme amount of love and support for the Fortuna family,” Lincoln said.
Loved ones and community members are sharing how they will remember the firefighter, father, husband, coach and parishioner.
“Coach Fortuna” is what countless kids, teens, and now grown adults call Capt. Fortuna.
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Henry J. Mendoza, the owner of All Sports Training Center in Modesto, told KCRA 3 he coached football and baseball in the region for at least five years.
Fortuna coached his and Mendoza’s son, before Fortuna and Mendoza began coaching youth sports together.
“He loved showing the kids what to do, how to do it, never raising his voice with them,” Mendoza said.
Although the fire captain had a busy work schedule, he made sports a priority.
“Every free chance he got he was there,” Mendoza said. “If he wasn’t working, he was with the kids on the field.”
Fortuna’s legacy lives on inside the training center’s walls: photos, trophies, banners and jerseys from his time as a coach are still hanging up.
All Sports will be hanging a large photo of Mendoza inside, as well.
“Something’s got to be done about the violence,” Mendoza said, with tears in his eyes. “It’s just got to stop.”
This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
The fallen firefighter was also involved in Modesto’s faith community.
The pastor of Big Valley Grace Community Church told KCRA 3 he was a bass player in the church’s ministry.
The church released this statement, in part, on its Facebook page:
“Max was a gentle and humble man who loved God and exhibited many characteristics of Christ. He served faithfully for many years and always brought his joyful attitude and strong work ethic to our ministry. He will be dearly missed.”