A child’s birthday celebration in Stockton, California, turned into a tragedy on Saturday evening when a gunman opened fire at a banquet hall, killing four people and wounding 10 others. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the casualty figures and announced that the victims included both juveniles and adults.
The shooting occurred shortly before 6 p.m. local time on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue, near a Dairy Queen restaurant and a children’s theater. The suspect remains at large, and authorities are actively searching for the perpetrator and establishing a motive.
Investigation Focuses on ‘Targeted Incident’
In a post on X, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the ongoing investigation: “We can confirm at this time that approximately 14 individuals were struck by gunfire, and four victims have been confirmed deceased.”
Sheriff’s spokesperson Heather Brent noted that initial findings suggest the attack was “a targeted incident,” though detectives are still exploring all possibilities leading up to the tragedy.
Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee expressed his devastation on social media, emphasizing the profound trauma inflicted on the community.
“Tonight, my heart is heavy in a way that’s hard to put into words… I am devastated and angry to learn about the mass shooting at a child’s birthday party. An ice cream shop should never be a place where families fear for their lives.”
Vice Mayor Lee vowed to push for answers, adding, “Violence touched my life as a young person, and seeing our own children, parents, and neighbors go through this shakes me deeply… Our community deserves to know the truth, and the families impacted deserve justice and every resource available to support them.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the “horrific” incident, and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is monitoring developments and coordinating with local authorities as the investigation continues.