A shooting unfolded at a family celebration in Stockton, California, leaving four people dead and injuring 10 more, according to local media reports. The incident happened under the balcony of a banquet hall on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue, set up for a child’s birthday party late on Saturday night.
Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, told reporters that the victims included both teenagers and adults who were there for the event. Police have yet to identify the suspect, who remains at large.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that the case is being treated as a possible “targeted attack,” and an active inquiry is underway. In a post shared on X, staff printed, “Shortly before 6:00 p.m., our dispatch centre received reports of a shooting that occurred near the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton. We can confirm at this time that approximately 14 individuals were struck by gunfire, and four victims have been confirmed deceased. This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited. Early indications suggest this may be a targeted incident, and investigators are exploring all possibilities.”
They added that detectives are working to piece together what led to the tragedy, urging anyone with footage or eyewitness accounts to contact the sheriff’s office immediately. “Community assistance is vital in helping us identify those responsible and bring justice to the victims and their loved ones. Additional updates will be provided as soon as information can be confirmed,” the office noted.
California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, has been briefed on the horrific event. The Governor’s Press Office posted on X, “Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the horrific shooting in Stockton. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is monitoring this evolving situation and coordinating with local law enforcement.”
Vice‑Mayor Jason Lee expressed deep sorrow and anger at the breach of safety at a child’s birthday party. In a Facebook post, he wrote, “Tonight, my heart is heavy in a way that’s hard to put into words. As Vice Mayor of Stockton — and as someone who grew up in this community — I am devastated and angry to learn about the mass shooting at a child’s birthday party. A birthday party should never be a place where families fear for their lives. Violence touched my life as a young person, and seeing our own children, parents, and neighbours go through this shakes me deeply. Stockton is my home. These are our families. This is our community.”
He continued, “I am in contact with staff and public safety officials to understand exactly what happened, and I will be pushing for answers. Our community deserves to know the truth, and the families impacted deserve justice and every resource available to support them. Tonight, I’m sending my thoughts, prayers, and love to the families who are hurting, to the children who witnessed this trauma, and to everyone across our city who feels this pain. Please God, uplift our community. We don’t deserve this. And we will not accept this as our norm.”
Source: int/akl/sd.
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