A 93-year-old Fremont man, Richard Hocking, is charged with murder after allegedly shooting his 86-year-old wife, Patty, in a parking lot near their home
93-Year-Old Man Charged with Murder of His Wife
FREMONT, Calif. (KGO) — A 93-year-old man from Fremont has been charged with murder for the shooting death of his 86-year-old wife.
Police report that he surrendered shortly after the incident.
Richard Hocking, 93, appeared before a judge on Wednesday. His arraignment has been postponed until next week.
Community Reaction
A neighbor expressed her shock to ABC7 News upon learning that Richard Hocking is accused of killing his wife, Patty.
“It’s very shocking. It’s very heartbreaking,” said the neighbor. “I don’t believe it. It’s very, very hard for me to believe.”
The neighbor, who chose to remain anonymous, has known the couple for about four years. She described them as a loving pair.
“They were a very lovely couple made for each other. Richard is a very inspiring gentleman. And Patty was a very good friend,” the neighbor added.
The Hockings had been married for 60 years.
Details of the Incident
A judge postponed Hocking’s arraignment on Wednesday. Prosecutors claim Hocking confessed to killing his wife.
They allege he drove Patty to a parking lot in the 5,000 block of Mowry Avenue, just a few miles from their home, over the weekend. He then shot her in the head and called 911.
“PD is en route. They are currently on the line with a subject who stated he shot his wife,” police reported.
According to police, Hocking expressed a desire to turn himself in and provided detectives with a reason for the killing.
Health Issues and Motive
Court documents reveal that Hocking stated his wife had been struggling with health issues and that killing her was “necessary.”
The documents further indicated that he had been planning the act for about a month and left his residence with the victim knowing he intended to kill her.
Several neighbors noted that Hocking had serious health concerns, including COPD, while his wife suffered from diabetes and other health issues.
“For over a year, she was almost in a chair. Not able to do chores or anything. He was taking care of her completely,” said the neighbor.
Current Status
Hocking is being held without bail. He is scheduled to return to court next Tuesday for his arraignment.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Accused | Richard Hocking |
| Age | 93 |
| Victim | Patty Hocking |
| Victim Age | 86 |
| Incident Location | 5,000 block of Mowry Avenue |
| Marital Status | Married for 60 years |
| Current Status | Held without bail |
| Next Court Date | Next Tuesday |
