A child’s birthday party in Stockton, California, turned into a scene of tragedy Saturday night when a gunman opened fire, killing three children and one adult and injuring 11 others. The suspected shooter remains at large.
The attack occurred just before 6 p.m. at a banquet hall in northern Stockton, which was hosting a birthday celebration for a young child attended by 100 to 150 people. The venue shares a parking lot with several businesses, including a Dairy Queen.
San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Heather Brent said both children and adults were among the victims. Those killed were aged 8, 9, 14, and 21, though authorities have not released their names.
“Early indications suggest this may have been a targeted incident,” Brent said. “This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited.”
Sheriff Patrick Withrow urged the public to provide any information that could help locate the shooter. “I am confident in our team and the work we have done so far that we will find these animals who did this and bring them to justice,” he said.
Officials emphasized that investigators are exploring all possibilities, but evidence suggests the shooting was not random. Withrow added that authorities are withholding details on whether the attack was gang-related until more facts emerge.
The incident highlights a broader issue of gun violence in the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 380 mass shootings this year, defined as incidents where four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter.
Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, herself a survivor of gun violence, expressed her condolences. “While we await more information on the shooting, it is painfully obvious that federal leaders need to act to stop gun violence,” she said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi have both pledged state support to the community, calling for prayers for victims, their families, and first responders.
