STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA—A child’s birthday celebration in Stockton, California, turned into a scene of unspeakable tragedy Saturday evening when gunfire erupted inside a banquet hall, leaving four people dead and at least ten others wounded, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities are now scrambling to find the perpetrator of the mass shooting, which they have classified as a “targeted incident,” shocking a community already struggling with gun violence and leaving families devastated by the brutal interruption of a joyous occasion.
The Assault on a Family Gathering
The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. PT at a banquet hall on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Heather Brent confirmed that 14 individuals in total were struck by gunfire. The victims included both juveniles and adults.
- The Scene: Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee confirmed on social media that the gunfire occurred during a child’s birthday party, a detail that underscores the horrific nature of the violence.
- Casualties: Four victims were confirmed deceased at the scene, and ten others were rushed to local hospitals, with at least one juvenile reported to be in fair condition, according to hospital officials.
- Targeted Violence: “Early indications suggest this may be a targeted incident, and investigators are exploring all possibilities,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. However, officials have not yet released details on the motive, the number of shooters involved, or the identities of the deceased.
The Community’s Grief
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief and anger from local officials, who decried the violence striking a family celebration.
Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi expressed her devastation, stating, “Tonight, heaven is a little bigger with the individuals—children and adults—that unfortunately did not make it. Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive.”
Vice Mayor Jason Lee echoed the sentiment, writing, “Tonight, my heart is heavy in a way that’s hard to put into words… A birthday party should never be a place where families fear for their lives.”
Hunt for the Suspect
As of Sunday morning, no arrests have been announced, and the suspected shooter remains at large, prompting a public plea from District Attorney Ron Freitas.
“If you have any information as to this individual, reach out immediately. If you are this individual, turn yourself in immediately,” Freitas urged.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office is calling on the public to assist in the investigation, stressing that community assistance and any video footage from the area are “vital” to identifying those responsible and bringing justice to the victims. California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the “horrific shooting” and is following the evolving situation closely.
The incident marks another grim addition to the rising toll of mass violence in the United States, tragically turning a moment of celebration into one of collective mourning for the city of Stockton.