A stolen firearm belonging to Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva has been identified as the weapon that killed 13-year-old Rashawn “Ray Ray” Harris last year.
Harris was standing outside his home in his driveway on Feb. 23, 2015 when he was gunned down. Stockton Police recovered the 40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on June 9 during a response to a domestic disturbance call.
This is the second time one of Mayor Silva’s guns has been stolen from his home. The mayor did not report the latest theft until 27 days after the shooting had occurred.
The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office released its report on the incident in response to a California Public Records Act request. The department said it hopes the release of the information will also aid in the search for Harris’ killer.
“Words cannot describe my sorrow and heartbreak for the victim and his family,” Silva said. “I feel terrible, and I feel sick to my stomach.”
Mayor Silva is up for re-election in November. In a statement Friday, his political opponent Councilman Michael Tubbs said the incident “underscores the importance of the responsibilities that come with 2nd amendment rights,” such as properly securing firearms and immediately reporting gun thefts to authorities.
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