On August 16, 2016, 30-year-old Colby Friday was shot and killed by Stockton Police Officer David Wells in the parking lot of Peña’s Market on East Jamestown Street in Stockton, California. Officer Wells told investigators he believed Friday matched the description of a domestic violence suspect, approached him, and pursued him when Friday fled. Wells said Friday dropped a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun during the encounter, and that he fired after ordering Friday to drop the weapon when Friday allegedly did not comply. Friday was taken to hospital and pronounced dead.

Witnesses and family members disputed the official account, saying Friday was unarmed and was shot in the back while fleeing; one witness said they heard Wells threaten to shoot Friday in the back before firing. Officer Wells had not activated his body-worn camera during the encounter, contrary to department policy. The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office later concluded the use of deadly force was justified and did not file criminal charges. The family filed a federal wrongful death suit alleging civil and constitutional violations and misleading department statements; the City settled the daughters’ claims for $3.25 million in March 2021.