Stockton Birthday Party Shooting Kills Three Children and One Adult; Suspect at Large

A child’s birthday celebration in Stockton, California, turned deadly Saturday evening when gunfire at a banquet hall left four people dead — three children, ages 8, 9 and 14, and a 21-year-old — and wounded 11 others. Authorities say the suspected shooter fled the scene and remains at large.

What happened

The shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. in the northern part of Stockton. Investigators said the banquet hall shared a parking lot with several businesses, including a Dairy Queen, and was hosting a family gathering that attendees described as a child’s birthday party with roughly 100 to 150 people in attendance. Stockton is about 40 miles south of Sacramento.

Officials’ statements and investigation

San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Heather Brent said children and adults were among those shot and that officials had not immediately released the conditions of those taken to area hospitals. "Early indications suggest this may have been a targeted incident," Brent said, adding that the investigation is active and information remains limited.

"This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited," Brent said.

Sheriff Patrick Withrow urged the community to share any information, no matter how small, and vowed to find those responsible. He said he was confident in his team’s work and appealed for public assistance in the investigation.

"I am confident in our team and with the work that we have done so far that we will find these animals that did this and bring them justice, but we still need the public’s help," Withrow said.

In an emotional comment, Withrow said he had driven more than eight hours and described the personal toll the shooting took on him and the community.

Response from leaders and advocates

Former Rep. Gabby Giffords, a survivor of gun violence and founder of the prevention organization GIFFORDS, offered condolences and called for federal action. "My heart goes out to the families of those killed, the injured, and the survivors," she said. "While we await more information, what is painfully obvious is that we need our federal leaders to act to stop gun violence."

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi said they have been briefed and that the state has offered support to the community. Mayor Fugazi called the night "heartbreaking and painful" and asked residents to keep victims, families and first responders in their thoughts.

Context

According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been hundreds of mass shooting incidents in the U.S. so far this year; the organization defines a mass shooting as an event in which at least four people are shot, not including the shooter. Recent incidents across the country have included attacks in retail locations, public buildings and schools, underscoring concerns about public safety in everyday spaces.

How the public can help

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office tip line or local law enforcement. Even small pieces of information can be important to an ongoing investigation.

The investigation remains active and officials say they will provide updates as more verified information becomes available.