James Loper, a 29-year-old tow-truck driver and father of two from Stockton, California, was shot to death in the early hours of October 29, 1997. Loper responded to a request for assistance on Eight Mile Road and called dispatch to say he had arrived at about 2:50 a.m.; eighteen minutes later he was found beneath the back of his running tow truck with its lights on. He had been struck by one of nine bullets fired at the scene. His wallet was left intact and there were no signs of robbery, leaving motive unclear.

The call for assistance originated from someone at or near the location, but no call-back number was provided. Authorities initially had no suspects and withheld the vehicle description given by the caller. Loper’s employer and colleagues described him as polite, hardworking, and devoted to his family; he had recently taken part in a local tow-truck competition.

Investigators later arrested 35-year-old tow-truck driver Louis James Peoples and charged him in Loper’s killing and other nearby homicides; a .40-caliber handgun linked to the cases was recovered after Peoples led authorities to a muddy field, and a map found in his apartment suggested additional marked locations. Does anyone who knew James or worked the late-night tow shift in Stockton in 1997 have details that could shed light on why he was targeted?