Accused Stockton serial killer sees one Oakland murder charge dropped

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A Stockton man suspected in serial killings will no longer face charges in a deadly Oakland shooting.

Wesley Brownlee will still stand trial on six murder charges for a series of shootings in 2021 and 2022, including one other in the Bay Area.

Prosecutors say not charging him in the seventh killing was a tactical decision that they'll explain at a later date.

Thursday was Brownlee's first court appearance in months and a motive for the murders remains unclear.

MORE: Who is the Stockton serial killer? Here's what we know about the suspect

"This case has been going on too long and my office set in motion this indictment and these grand jury proceedings to expedite the justice, for our victims and in our community," said San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas.

The lone survivor of the attacks was also there for Thursday's proceedings.

In April 2021, Natasha Latour was shot 10 times in Stockton.

Brownlee is accused of killing another man on that same night.