In the quiet streets of Wakefield, a vibrant community was shattered by a senseless act of violence on the night of Tuesday, August 12, 2025. At 9:43 p.m., the sound of gunfire pierced the air on Doncaster Road, near the BP petrol station and the junction with Sugar Lane. A drive-by shooting claimed the life of a beloved local man, 50-year-old Dale Stogden, known affectionately as Brett to his family and friends. As the investigation unfolds, the heartbreak of his loss reverberates through the city, with his daughters’ emotional plea for justice echoing in the hearts of many.

Brett Stogden was more than a name in the news; he was a father whose warm presence and infectious smile lit up the lives of those around him. In a poignant tribute, his daughters shared their devastation: “We are in complete shock at the loss of our dad in such horrific, violent circumstances. We will miss him, and our breakfast get-togethers. We will miss his big smile. Dad, we hope you are no longer in pain and that you can rest in peace. We will always love and miss you.” Their words paint a picture of a man who cherished simple moments, whose laughter and love left an indelible mark on their lives. In a direct appeal to the perpetrator, they added, “We would like to ask the person who took our dad’s life so cruelly, please hand yourself in then we can have some closure and lay him to rest.”

The incident unfolded with chilling precision. Police reports indicate that a shot was fired from a vehicle—a blue-grey Toyota RAV4 with a grey trim, marked by distinctive bull lights above the windshield—on Doncaster Road near the BP station. Brett was found seriously injured behind a pizza takeaway, close to Fall Ings Road, and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries, leaving a void in the lives of his family and the Wakefield community.

West Yorkshire Police launched a murder investigation, codenamed Operation Ploughland, with a fierce determination to bring those responsible to justice. Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, leading the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, expressed a resolute commitment to the case: “We are determined to get answers for Brett’s family and ensure that those involved in this senseless crime are brought to justice.” The investigation has already yielded a critical lead: the Toyota RAV4, believed to have been used in the shooting, was found abandoned on Dunbar Street shortly after the incident on Wednesday, August 13. The vehicle, which bore cloned plates with the number FV53FXT, had been stolen in a burglary in Castleford on August 3. Now in the hands of crime scene investigators, it holds potential clues to unraveling this tragedy.

Authorities are casting a wide net for information, appealing to the public for any details that could shed light on the events of that fateful night. They are particularly keen to speak with motorists who were on Doncaster Road between 9:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., urging them to check dashcam footage for sightings of the distinctive Toyota RAV4. The vehicle was seen driving toward Wakefield before turning around near the BP station, firing the fatal shot, and then speeding off in the direction it came from. Police also seek witnesses who may have seen individuals in Dunbar Street around 9:40 p.m., where the car was abandoned. “I would like to extend my thanks to those who have already provided information,” Entwistle said, emphasizing the ongoing efforts behind the scenes. “There is a lot of work going on, and all available lines of enquiry are being followed up.”

The community of Wakefield is reeling from the shock of this brazen act, made all the more jarring by the involvement of a firearm—a rarity in this close-knit area. To provide reassurance, West Yorkshire Police have increased their presence in the neighborhood, with officers patrolling to offer comfort and security to residents. The investigation is moving at a rapid pace, with detectives working tirelessly to piece together the circumstances that led to Brett’s death. The public is encouraged to share any information, no matter how small, by contacting the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via Live Chat, calling 101 and quoting Operation Ploughland, or submitting details and footage through the Major Incident Public Portal.

As Wakefield mourns, Brett Stogden’s memory lives on in the hearts of his daughters and those who knew him. His big smile, his love for shared breakfasts, and his warmth as a father are the legacy he leaves behind. The quest for justice continues, fueled by the hope that answers will bring closure to a family struck by unimaginable loss. In the words of his daughters, the call is clear: for the person responsible to step forward, to allow a grieving family to lay their beloved dad to rest in peace.