STOCKTON — The Stockton Police Department released the following statement on an apparent murder-suicide involving one gunman and three female victims — two sisters and their aunt.
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On Oct. 22, 2012, at approximately 3:05 p.m., Stockton police officers were called to the 400 block of North Regent Street on a report of a person shot. When officers arrived, they found the victim, Kathleen Arata, a 64 year-old female, inside her residence shot dead.
As officers began getting descriptions of the suspect and the suspect vehicle (a silver minivan), another shooting was reported in the 3500 block of Wagner Heights Road. As officers arrived on Wagner Heights, officers located a silver minivan parked in the parking lot.
Officers immediately went to the room where the shooting occurred and located the victim, Chizuko Kaneishi, an 88-year-old female, suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to a local area hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.
Officers also located the suspect, Colin McGrattan, a 45-year-old male, deceased, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, inside of Kaneishi’s room. Officers then located a .38 special revolver inside the room near McGrattan.
Officers next checked the silver minivan and located the victim, Jackie Arata, a 57-year-old female, rolled up in a tarp, in the back of the van. She was found shot and was deceased.
The investigation has revealed the following:
Victim Jackie Arata was the ex-wife of Colin McGrattan.
Victim Kathleen Arata was the sister of Jackie.
Victim Chizuko Kaneishi was the aunt of Jackie and Kathleen.
Suspect Colin McGrattan was a marriage counselor.
Homicide investigators are looking into a possible financial motive for this murder/suicide.
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According to an obituary that ran in NikkeiWest in 2010, Jacklyn and Kathy Arata and Ellen Karel are the daughters of Emiko Arata, who passed away on May 14, 2010 at the age of 89, and the late Frank Arata. Emiko had two sisters, Sayeko and Chizuko Kaneishi, and also left behind three grandsons, two of whom are the sons of Jackie Arata and Colin McGrattan.
Some of the comments on the Stockton Police Department’s Facebook page were from people who knew the shooter or the victims.
Krystal Hurst wrote, “He was my son’s therapist. I really liked him — so down-to-earth and friendly. I really can’t believe he did this. He told me at the last appointment that he wouldn’t be here next week. It’s really sad that he spent his life helping people and he couldn’t help himself. Still in shock — I hope the kids can make it through this.”
Lillie Fuller wrote, “Jackie was a beautiful person! She was a sweet spirit, a wonderful mother who gave her all to her sons and their classmates and teammates! This is soo tragic! My heart goes out to Ian, Owen and all of Jackie’s friends and family! Rest in peace, sweet lady!”
Robert Waller wrote, “Kathy was a wonderful person and will be sorely missed. It is hard to believe she is gone. My sincerest condolences to her friends and family.”