Lodi residents express fear after what police call 'gang-related' shootings outside bowling alley
A suspected gang-related shooting outside the Lodi Bowling Lounge and Bar on Sunday night has left two victims in critical but stable condition, according to police, with two suspects arrested on charges of attempted murder and weapons offenses.Detectives identified Pete Martinez, 18, from Stockton, and a 16-year-old boy as the suspects, both booked on charges of attempted murder and weapons charges. Despite the arrests, residents and visitors in Lodi are expressing concerns about safety in the area. Jessica Sanchez, a local mother, shared her concerns. "I'm worried that the city's falling apart," said Jessica Sanchez, a Lodi resident and mother.Sanchez explained that her children frequently visit downtown Lodi, but she is apprehensive about their safety. "My kids are out here almost every day out here downtown. They want to hang out. And it's really scary because I tell them all the time, I don't want them to hang out here," she said. "You never know what's going to happen. And for it to happen so close at the bowling alley."The sound of gunshots on Sunday night has left many residents feeling uneasy. Kasandra Medina, who planned to go bowling Monday night, found the bowling alley closed with boarded-up windows. "I'm a little scared. I'm usually not scared of anything," Medina said. Brandon Cawley met Medina to go bowling and said he is not surprised by the gun violence. Having served in the military, he shared his heightened sense of vigilance."I was in the military 2010 to 2014, so I'm kind of always on edge with safety," he said. "Even right now, I'm just looking around."Sanchez reiterated her concerns about the unpredictability of violence."You never know. You never know when someone's going to drive by and shoot somebody, or when a fight breaks out and it turns into a shooting. You don't know who has guns," Sanchez said. Lodi Bowling Lounge and Bar made a statement on Facebook:"With a heavy heart we would like to address the tragic and senseless act of violence that occurred at our establishment last night. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We are devastated by this incident and offer our deepest condolences to everyone affected.Our business has always been a place for community, and to have that peace shattered by this violence is deeply disturbing. We are working closely with the Lodi Police Department to aid in their investigation and will provide any information necessary to bring those responsible to justice.Our business will remain closed temporarily. We will take this time to mourn with our community. During the closure, we will be working closely with our security team to conduct a comprehensive review and enhancement of security procedures. The goal is to ensure the highest possible safety standards for employees and patrons upon reopening. Our team is like a family, and we are arranging counseling and support resources for all our staff who have been traumatized by this event.We would like to thank our Security Team and the Lodi Police Department for their swift response and support they have provided.We are a resilient community, and we will not allow fear to win. We will reopen our doors very soon, and we will do so with a renewed commitment to providing a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Thank you for your support and understanding."See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
