A 93-Year-Old Man Allegedly Murdered His Wife at a Fremont Shopping Center
– By Jim Emerson
FREMONT, CA — An elderly man was arrested for allegedly murdering his wife at a shopping
center parking lot.
Richard C. Hockings, 93, of Fremont, remains is custody, pending his
arraignment on January 7.
Officers were dispatched on January 3 shortly before 12:30 a.m., to the 5000 block of Mowry
Avenue, after a caller reported a shooting.
“The caller advised that he shot his spouse and wanted to turn himself into custody,” Fremont
police said in a news release.
Responding officers detained the suspect who waited for police near their car. His wife
Patricia M. Hockings, 86, was found mortally wounded in the front passenger seat, and
pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers recovered a firearm from inside the car, before taking Hockings to the police station,
where he was questioned further. “Hockings provided a statement to Fremont police
detectives, articulating his reasoning behind the incident.”
Hockings was transported next to Alameda County Santa Rita Jail, where he was booked on
suspicion of first-degree murder. His online jail record indicates that he presently cannot be
released on bond.
Investigators have submitted evidence collected thus far to the Alameda County District
Attorney’s Office for review. Hockings faces charges involving his wife’s homicide with as gun-
related enhancement, according to the police.
The investigation of the incident remains ongoing. Anyone with information can contact the
Fremont police investigations unit at 510-790-6900.
