Neighbors say they had problems with 19-year-old in past

The 19-year-old man accused of shooting at a Stockton gay nightclub with a paintball gun will remain in jail on a $6 million bond, a judge ruled Friday.Branden Staples, who was in San Joaquin County court Friday for his arraignment, is facing seven felony charges -- including making terrorist threats with a hate crime enhancement.Stockton police said they identified Staples as a suspect in the June 12 paintball attack on the nightclub while they investigated threats made against St. Mary’s High School."If you are a victim of a crime, and it's because of your gender, sexual orientation or your age, the San Joaquin County District Attorney Office is going to prosecute aggressively -- but ethically," Deputy District Attorney Elton Grau said.Court records show Staples has been in trouble with the law before for vandalism.Many residents of an upscale Lodi community where Staples grew up said they have had problems with Staples in the past."He terrorized this neighborhood and shot up the side of my house with a pellet gun," said one neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous. "I have considered moving because of that kid.”“Glad authorities caught up with him," said another neighbor, who would not give his name.One neighbor pointed out a number of dents on her garage door from a pellet gun.Meanwhile, members of the LGBT community said they are relieved an arrest has been made and violence did not escalate.

The 19-year-old man accused of shooting at a Stockton gay nightclub with a paintball gun will remain in jail on a $6 million bond, a judge ruled Friday.

Branden Staples, who was in San Joaquin County court Friday for his arraignment, is facing seven felony charges -- including making terrorist threats with a hate crime enhancement.


Stockton police said they identified Staples as a suspect in the June 12 paintball attack on the nightclub while they investigated threats made against St. Mary’s High School.

"If you are a victim of a crime, and it's because of your gender, sexual orientation or your age, the San Joaquin County District Attorney Office is going to prosecute [perpetrators] aggressively -- but ethically," Deputy District Attorney Elton Grau said.

Court records show Staples has been in trouble with the law before for vandalism.

Many residents of an upscale Lodi community where Staples grew up said they have had problems with Staples in the past.

"He terrorized this neighborhood and shot up the side of my house with a pellet gun," said one neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous. "I have considered moving because of that kid.”

“Glad authorities caught up with him," said another neighbor, who would not give his name.

One neighbor pointed out a number of dents on her garage door from a pellet gun.

Meanwhile, members of the LGBT community said they are relieved an arrest has been made and violence did not escalate.