93-Year-Old Man Turns Himself In After Allegedly Fatally Shooting 86-Year-Old Spouse, Police Say By Dave Quinn

A 93-year-old man turned himself in to police after allegedly fatally shooting his 86-year-old spouse in a Fremont, California, parking lot early Saturday, Jan. 3, authorities said.

Officers with the Fremont Police Department were dispatched around 12:22 a.m. to a parking lot in the 5000 block of Mowry Avenue after a caller reported that he had shot his spouse and wanted to surrender, according to a department press release.

When officers arrived, they detained the reporting party — identified by police as Richard Hocking — who was standing by his vehicle. Inside the car, officers found the victim seated in the front passenger seat with a physical injury.

The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not release the victim’s name.

A firearm was recovered from inside the vehicle, authorities said.

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Hocking was taken into custody and transported to the Fremont Police Department, where he provided a statement to detectives explaining his reasoning for the alleged shooting. That information has not been made public.

Police said Hocking was booked on suspicion of homicide with a gun-related enhancement. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office will review the case and evidence.

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It is unclear whether Hocking has obtained legal council. PEOPLE reached out to the Fremont Police Department and Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for comment, but didn’t immediately receive a response.

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This is Fremont’s first homicide in 2026, police said. They described the shooting as an isolated incident and said there is no ongoing threat to the community.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fremont Police Investigations Unit at 510-790-6900. The organization also accepts anonymous tips online.