STOCKTON, CA – 41-year-old Gregory Fitzgerald was killed after being shot by San Joaquin County Sheriff’s deputies in East Stockton on April 7, 2025. The incident occurred around the 5000 block of Ardelle Ave and Walker Lane.
Incident Details
At roughly 11:15 a.m., deputies responded to a call involving a person allegedly trash dumping. Upon encountering Fitzgerald, deputies claim he fled and got to the roof of a house. The incident would end when deputies fired at Fitzgerald, striking him.
Fitzgerald was transported to a local hospital for treatment, but would later die at the hospital. The California Department of Justice will investigate this incident.
Under California Penal Code § 835a, officers may only use deadly force when necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious injury.
Broader Concerns Around Police Use of Force
This incident adds to the ongoing public concern over police use of force, especially in communities that frequently see heightened law enforcement presence. According to the California Department of Justice’s Use of Force Data, there were over 600 incidents in 2022 where officers discharged firearms. More than half of these resulted in injury or death.
Nationally, individuals experiencing mental health crises or under the influence of substances have been disproportionately involved in officer-involved shootings. A 2023 report by the Treatment Advocacy Center found that people with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter than those without mental illness.
Seeking Accountability for Officer Involved Shootings
We at the Sehat Law Firm offer our condolences to the family of Gregory Fitzgerald.
Families affected by officer-involved shootings may have legal options if their loved one’s constitutional rights were violated. Under 42 U.S. Code § 1983, victims of excessive force can seek accountability through civil rights lawsuits against government agencies and individual officers.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by police misconduct or an in-custody incident, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to discuss your case with our legal team.
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and so may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.
