An 8‑year‑old named Maya Lupian, who had been called “the light in everyone’s life,” was nearly nine when she was tragically killed at a birthday celebration in Stockton, California, according to her family’s statements.
Maya, a third‑grader, was one of three children who lost their lives in the shooting that took place in a banquet hall on Saturday. A total of four people died, including 21‑year‑old Susano Archuleta, who later earned the title of hero, and 11 others were injured.
Her sister, Yesenia, described Maya as “the most outgoing 8‑year‑old you’d ever meet” in a post she shared on GoFundMe Tuesday. “She loved to dance, sing and draw. She was a purple belt in karate, and she loved being active. Maya was the light in everyone’s life, the sweetest soul.”
Maya was supposed to celebrate her 9th birthday exactly two weeks later. “She deserved a childhood full of laughter, school days, karate, family time and dreams… not this,” Yesenia wrote. “We would have been celebrating her 9th birthday in just 2 weeks on December 13th.”
“Yes, we are devastated, heartbroken and trying to navigate the impossible. As we work through overwhelming grief and emotions that accompany a tragedy like this, we are facing unexpected financial burdens, time away from work and want to secure ongoing support as we process this loss,” the sister continued.
Another young victim, Journey Rose Reotutar Guerrero, was identified as a ninth‑year‑old who was celebrating her cousin’s party when the gunfire erupted. Journey’s mother, Jackie Reotutar, remembered her daughter in a GoFundMe tribute, saying, “Journey was always an inspiration for her family to do their best. She would always offer a helping hand to anyone she knew. She was a smart girl who loved trivia and solving math games.”
“She was growing up beautifully and should have had a long life where she could learn and play as much as she pleased. She had so many dreams and goals she wanted to reach,” the mother added. “Journey wanted to be a cheerleader when she entered high school & continue her love for gymnastics. She wished to become a doctor & follow in her sister’s footsteps. She wanted to help people.”
When the shooting began, Susano Archuleta rushed a group of children and his girlfriend into a closet to shield them from the bullets, but he was fatally struck. His father and stepmother described him as a hero. Archuleta was shot in the neck and succumbed at the scene; his girlfriend was wounded but survived.
Emmanuel Lopez, Archuleta’s brother, shared his shock with the Los Angeles Times: “I’m just upset right now. My brother died in my arms.”
Lopez’s own nine‑year‑old daughter was shot in the head but survived the incident.
Amari Peterson, a 14‑year‑old, was identified as the teenage boy who died in the attack. Kim Peterson, his mother, expressed her grief in the Stockton Record: “My baby was innocent. We were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Who would have known my baby wasn’t gonna come home with me?”
The birthday party had over 100 guests as the two‑year‑old celebrant cut her cake. Patrice Williams, a partygoer, recalled the sudden change in venue: “I actually thought it was my balloons popping. It was gunshots.” She later added, “It was just unexpected. I don’t know what happened, and I’m just so shocked and lost.”
No suspects have been publicly named, but authorities are treating the incident as gang‑related. Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi described the attack as a “pure act of terrorism. A complete, cowardly terrorist attack.”
Rapper MBnel (born Johnel Dongon) was reportedly targeted during the skirmish. His father, Junior Dongon, told the Post that MBnel was shot in the buttocks while dropping off a gift for his friend’s daughter. “He was shot, but he is OK. … He called me and said, ‘Don’t say anything to anybody,’” he recounted.
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