Damon Richard James Owens, 42, of Stockton was shot and killed in the early morning hours of April 7, 2026, behind a Michaels store in the 7600 block of Pacific Avenue. Police were called about 5:09 a.m.; Owens was found with gunshot wounds and transported to a hospital, where he died. The San Joaquin County Medical Examiner identified him after initial reports misidentified his age.

Detectives processed the parking lot in the Lakeview district and by April 8 had arrested 42-year-old Trung Nguyen on a homicide-related charge. Prosecutors later charged Nguyen with murder and a firearm enhancement alleging intentional discharge causing great bodily injury and death. Nguyen pleaded not to speaking at his first court appearance on April 10, 2026; he was appointed a public defender, denied bail, and had a further arraignment scheduled for May 11, 2026. The case remained in the further arraignment stage with no reported trial outcome as of the last update.

Owens was remembered by his wife, Patricia Reynoso Owens, as a husband and father of two young children; the family organized a fundraiser for funeral expenses. If anyone has information about the shooting behind the Michaels on Pacific Avenue on April 7, please come forward.