R.I.P To Our Fallen Brother Jason Joiner

Shooting victim 'a good kid'

By Christian Burkin
Record Staff Writer
March 31, 2010 12:00 AM
STOCKTON - The 27-year-old man shot to death Sunday at an intersection in north Stockton was identified Tuesday as Jason Joiner, a hard worker who was on his way home from a friend's house when he was killed.

"He was a good kid, man," said his older brother, Chris Simons. "He always worked. He never messed with anybody."

The Police Department reported that, about 12:35 a.m. Sunday, Joiner had stopped at March Lane and Kentfield Road when a car pulled up alongside his and someone inside fired several shots at him. Joiner's car then jumped forward, hit a median and struck a third vehicle at the intersection.

Joiner was taken to St. Joseph's Medical Center, where he died about an hour later.

Simons said his brother's car was a used patrol car but didn't think that had anything to do with the shooting. The car behind Joiner's also was hit by gunfire, he said.

Joiner was born in Hayward, spent much of his youth in Stockton and attended college for a while in San Mateo, his brother said. He trained Siberian huskies and was employed in cell phone sales.

The Kentfield neighborhood has had a relatively high violent crime rate, but the Police Department has said that has fallen as a result of city investment, community involvement and greater police presence.

Simons said he and his brother lived for a time in the neighborhood and still have a lot of friends there.

Joiner had many friends in Southern California, Simons said, and they are raising money to help pay for his interment. His family also is planning a local fundraiser, but the details hadn't been worked out Tuesday night.

The family is accepting donations through PayPal to donate2jason@gmail.com

Contact reporter Christian Burkin at (209) 546-8279 or cburkin@recordnet.com.