4 dead, 11 hit in mass shooting at birthday party in Stockton, California

Investigators increased the number of victims to 15 in a mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in Stockton. Four people are dead and 11 others are hospitalized after a violent attack on Saturday that investigators believe was targeted, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Heather Brent, a sheriff’s office spokesperson, said Sunday that the ages of those who were killed were 8, 9, 14 and 21. Brent said the shooting took place just before 6 p.m. at a banquet hall in the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton, where a child’s birthday party was happening with between 100 and 150 people in attendance.A suspect, or suspects, remain at large, the sheriff’s office confirmed.Watch an update from the San Joaquin County Sheriff from 4 p.m. Sunday in the video player below:Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi on Sunday told KCRA 3 the shooting was a result of “group gang violence.” San Joaquin Sheriff Patrick Withrow said on Sunday that firearms were found on the roof of the banquet hall, but it’s unclear if that included the weapon used in the shooting. Investigators believe multiple suspects may be involved. It’s also believed the shooting began inside and ended outside the banquet hall. The sheriff said at least one person was in critical condition, but he did not have information on the other injuries. KCRA 3 previously confirmed that three adult patients were stable at the hospital. Officials on Sunday said the 8-year-old child killed was a student within the Stockton Unified School District. The district will offer counseling services in the wake of the tragedy. Reporter Denzen Cortez was at the shooting scene on Sunday, where he saw decorations indicating the birthday party was for a 2-year-old child.The Stockton Police Department, Manteca Police Department, ATF and the FBI are also involved in the investigation. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office released a statement on social media, describing the shooting as “horrific.” “Today, local authorities confirmed the victims of the Stockton shooting were just 8, 9, 14, and 21 years old — and that the attack was likely targeted,” Newsom said on Sunday. “Our hearts break for their families and the entire Stockton community.” First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom called the shooting “devastating.””The Governor and I are profoundly heartbroken knowing that those lost were children and young people. We’re holding Stockton, the families, and the entire community close to our hearts,” she shared on social media.Fugazi noted Thanksgiving weekend is “when families come together to celebrate, share memories, give each other love. And unfortunately, tonight heaven is a little bigger with the individuals, children and adults, that unfortunately did not make it. Stockton is better than this.”(Video player below: Stockton mayor, DA speak out after mass shooting)Fugazi said the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office will lead the investigation since it happened in the county’s jurisdiction. Within the city limits of Stockton, homicides have been trending down this year. As of last week, there were 34, compared to 46 for the same period a year ago, police said. “Families should be together instead of at the hospital standing next to their loved one, praying that they survived,” Fugazi said.On Sunday, Fugazi said she had spoken with the White House and Department of Justice about support in the investigation moving forward. She urged people with information to call Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600.Sheriff Withrow called the perpetrators “animals” and urged the public to come forward with any information, even if it’s possibly unrelated. “Please, if you saw something, if you videotape something, even if you think it’s minor, reach out to us,” Withrow said. “Let us take that piece of the puzzle and see if it’s part of this or not. We’d much rather get a call from you that’s not related than miss something that we absolutely need to know.”Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee also reacted to the shooting, saying in part, “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.”San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said, “A tragedy of this nature is unthinkable and it absolutely breaks our heart to have the loss of life and to have the loss of life to children in our community.” He called for the person responsible for the shooting to turn themself in.What neighbors are saying about the shootingResidents who live nearby told KCRA 3’s Peyton Headlee that they heard gunshots for what felt like one minute. They also said it sounded like there were multiple people firing. They said they then heard people screaming for ambulances.When Headlee first arrived at the scene, there was a large group of people speaking with officers but it is unclear if they were witnesses or were in the banquet hall during the shooting. KCRA 3’s Denzen Cortez, reporting from the west side of Lucile Avenue late Saturday, said police were holding drivers there before letting them through as they continued to gather possible information on a suspect.Prayer vigil on SundayStockton-area faith leaders and community members held a vigil in Stockton on Sunday. Faith in the Valley organized the vigil at 9299 Thornton Road at 3 p.m. See more about the vigil here. A reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction Mayor Fugazi on Sunday said a reward for information leading to an arrest has risen to $25,000.”$10,000 that came from Crime Stoppers, $10,000 from my office, $5,000 from Councilwoman Mariela Ponce’s office,” Fugazi said. The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, which was created after the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, said it will offer a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect or suspects. It urged anyone with information to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. More lawmakers and local officials react Rep. Josh Harder: “I’m devastated at news of a mass shooting in Stockton, and Pam and I are praying for the victims and their families. My office is carefully monitoring this situation and in close contact with local law enforcement.”He shared another statement on Sunday:”The past 24 hours have been incredibly difficult for our Stockton community. Pam and I are heartbroken. We lost four lives last night in a senseless shooting, including 3 children. Many more are injured and in the hospital. We have multiple families living through the worst possible pain right now. No community deserves this. No child deserves this. I’ve spoken with our local law enforcement who are working around the clock to hold the perpetrator accountable. Thank you to all the first responders for your dedication. To everyone reading this – please hold these families in your prayers.”Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom: “I’m heartbroken by the violence and tragedy in Stockton and the senseless loss of life that has resulted from this. My heart is with the families experiencing unimaginable pain and with those who have been injured. These events are deeply traumatizing for our community. We are still gathering the facts as more information becomes available. In this difficult time, I’m holding everyone affected in my thoughts and prayers. I pray for peace, healing, and the sense of safety we all deserve.”Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs: “My heart goes out to the families and the victims of the atrocity that happened tonight in my hometown of Stockton. Stockton residents deserve to live in a safe city and young people deserve to believe that they can reach adulthood. As we pray and mourn, we have to be clear that change just won’t happen. It’ll take work, truth, accountability, and belief that things can be better. Gun violence is preventable. We’ve had years where we have had reduced shootings and homicides in Stockton. We can do it. We must do it. Nihilism must not win. It will take more strategy and more action than words and vigils. But yes. tonight we grieve, we mourn, and we are reminded of the work that is left to be done.”San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chair Paul Canepa: “I am deeply shocked and saddened by the horrific tragedy that occurred in our community earlier this evening. On behalf of the entire Board of Supervisors, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. We stand united in our commitment to seek justice, and we have full confidence in our Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney as they work to identify and prosecute those responsible for this senseless act of violence.I want to thank our partner agencies across San Joaquin County who stepped in immediately to assist. I also want to recognize the doctors, nurses, and staff at San Joaquin General Hospital who are caring for victims in the aftermath. Your skill and dedication save lives every single day, and we are grateful for the work you are doing right now.We all want safe neighborhoods, and there is something each of us can do to help. If you have any information that may assist in this investigation, please contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office at 209-468-4400. Please rely on verified information — rumor and speculation do not help our community heal or move forward.Join us in praying for the victims, check in on your neighbors, and stand with us as we work to end gun violence in San Joaquin County. Together, we can build the safe, strong community we all want for our families.”U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff: “Heartbroken to learn of a mass shooting and the loss of four innocent lives at a family gathering in Stockton. My thoughts are with the families of the victims, including the ten who were injured. Closely monitoring developments about the suspected shooter, who still remains at large.”U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla: Devastated by the news out of Stockton last night — a family gathering shattered by an act of senseless gun violence. My thoughts are with the family and the victims in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy. My office is monitoring the situation as developments continue to unfold.Photos from shooting sceneDrone footage shows how expansive the crime scene is as detectives work to piece together every detail in the investigation. Bullet holes littered the building where the shooting occurred. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel–KCRA 3’s Lindsay Weber, Daniel Macht and Denzen Cortez also contributed to this story.

STOCKTON, Calif. —

Heather Brent, a sheriff’s office spokesperson, said Sunday that the ages of those who were killed were 8, 9, 14 and 21.

Brent said the shooting took place just before 6 p.m. at a banquet hall in the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton, where a child’s birthday party was happening with between 100 and 150 people in attendance.

A suspect, or suspects, remain at large, the sheriff’s office confirmed.

Watch an update from the San Joaquin County Sheriff from 4 p.m. Sunday in the video player below:

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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi on Sunday told KCRA 3 the shooting was a result of “group gang violence.”

San Joaquin Sheriff Patrick Withrow said on Sunday that firearms were found on the roof of the banquet hall, but it’s unclear if that included the weapon used in the shooting. Investigators believe multiple suspects may be involved. It’s also believed the shooting began inside and ended outside the banquet hall.

The sheriff said at least one person was in critical condition, but he did not have information on the other injuries. KCRA 3 previously confirmed that three adult patients were stable at the hospital.

Officials on Sunday said the 8-year-old child killed was a student within the Stockton Unified School District. The district will offer counseling services in the wake of the tragedy.

Reporter Denzen Cortez was at the shooting scene on Sunday, where he saw decorations indicating the birthday party was for a 2-year-old child.

The Stockton Police Department, Manteca Police Department, ATF and the FBI are also involved in the investigation.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office released a statement on social media, describing the shooting as “horrific.”

“Today, local authorities confirmed the victims of the Stockton shooting were just 8, 9, 14, and 21 years old — and that the attack was likely targeted,” Newsom said on Sunday. “Our hearts break for their families and the entire Stockton community.”

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom called the shooting “devastating.”

“The Governor and I are profoundly heartbroken knowing that those lost were children and young people. We’re holding Stockton, the families, and the entire community close to our hearts,” she shared on social media.

Fugazi noted Thanksgiving weekend is “when families come together to celebrate, share memories, give each other love. And unfortunately, tonight heaven is a little bigger with the individuals, children and adults, that unfortunately did not make it. Stockton is better than this.”

(Video player below: Stockton mayor, DA speak out after mass shooting)

Fugazi said the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office will lead the investigation since it happened in the county’s jurisdiction. Within the city limits of Stockton, homicides have been trending down this year. As of last week, there were 34, compared to 46 for the same period a year ago, police said.

“Families should be together instead of at the hospital standing next to their loved one, praying that they survived,” Fugazi said.

On Sunday, Fugazi said she had spoken with the White House and Department of Justice about support in the investigation moving forward.

She urged people with information to call Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600.

Sheriff Withrow called the perpetrators “animals” and urged the public to come forward with any information, even if it’s possibly unrelated.

“Please, if you saw something, if you videotape something, even if you think it’s minor, reach out to us,” Withrow said. “Let us take that piece of the puzzle and see if it’s part of this or not. We’d much rather get a call from you that’s not related than miss something that we absolutely need to know.”

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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee also reacted to the shooting, saying in part, “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.”

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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said, “A tragedy of this nature is unthinkable and it absolutely breaks our heart to have the loss of life and to have the loss of life to children in our community.”

He called for the person responsible for the shooting to turn themself in.

What neighbors are saying about the shooting

Residents who live nearby told KCRA 3’s Peyton Headlee that they heard gunshots for what felt like one minute. They also said it sounded like there were multiple people firing. They said they then heard people screaming for ambulances.

When Headlee first arrived at the scene, there was a large group of people speaking with officers but it is unclear if they were witnesses or were in the banquet hall during the shooting.

KCRA 3’s Denzen Cortez, reporting from the west side of Lucile Avenue late Saturday, said police were holding drivers there before letting them through as they continued to gather possible information on a suspect.

Prayer vigil on Sunday

Stockton-area faith leaders and community members held a vigil in Stockton on Sunday. Faith in the Valley organized the vigil at 9299 Thornton Road at 3 p.m.

See more about the vigil here.

A reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction

Mayor Fugazi on Sunday said a reward for information leading to an arrest has risen to $25,000.

“$10,000 that came from Crime Stoppers, $10,000 from my office, $5,000 from Councilwoman Mariela Ponce’s office,” Fugazi said.

The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, which was created after the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, said it will offer a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a suspect or suspects.

It urged anyone with information to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

More lawmakers and local officials react

Rep. Josh Harder: “I’m devastated at news of a mass shooting in Stockton, and Pam and I are praying for the victims and their families. My office is carefully monitoring this situation and in close contact with local law enforcement.”

He shared another statement on Sunday:

“The past 24 hours have been incredibly difficult for our Stockton community. Pam and I are heartbroken. We lost four lives last night in a senseless shooting, including 3 children. Many more are injured and in the hospital. We have multiple families living through the worst possible pain right now. No community deserves this. No child deserves this. I’ve spoken with our local law enforcement who are working around the clock to hold the perpetrator accountable. Thank you to all the first responders for your dedication. To everyone reading this – please hold these families in your prayers.”

Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom: “I’m heartbroken by the violence and tragedy in Stockton and the senseless loss of life that has resulted from this. My heart is with the families experiencing unimaginable pain and with those who have been injured. These events are deeply traumatizing for our community. We are still gathering the facts as more information becomes available. In this difficult time, I’m holding everyone affected in my thoughts and prayers. I pray for peace, healing, and the sense of safety we all deserve.”

Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs: “My heart goes out to the families and the victims of the atrocity that happened tonight in my hometown of Stockton. Stockton residents deserve to live in a safe city and young people deserve to believe that they can reach adulthood. As we pray and mourn, we have to be clear that change just won’t happen. It’ll take work, truth, accountability, and belief that things can be better. Gun violence is preventable. We’ve had years where we have had reduced shootings and homicides in Stockton. We can do it. We must do it. Nihilism must not win. It will take more strategy and more action than words and vigils. But yes. tonight we grieve, we mourn, and we are reminded of the work that is left to be done.”

San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chair Paul Canepa: “I am deeply shocked and saddened by the horrific tragedy that occurred in our community earlier this evening. On behalf of the entire Board of Supervisors, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. We stand united in our commitment to seek justice, and we have full confidence in our Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney as they work to identify and prosecute those responsible for this senseless act of violence.

I want to thank our partner agencies across San Joaquin County who stepped in immediately to assist. I also want to recognize the doctors, nurses, and staff at San Joaquin General Hospital who are caring for victims in the aftermath. Your skill and dedication save lives every single day, and we are grateful for the work you are doing right now.

We all want safe neighborhoods, and there is something each of us can do to help. If you have any information that may assist in this investigation, please contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office at 209-468-4400. Please rely on verified information — rumor and speculation do not help our community heal or move forward.

Join us in praying for the victims, check in on your neighbors, and stand with us as we work to end gun violence in San Joaquin County. Together, we can build the safe, strong community we all want for our families.”

U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff: “Heartbroken to learn of a mass shooting and the loss of four innocent lives at a family gathering in Stockton. My thoughts are with the families of the victims, including the ten who were injured. Closely monitoring developments about the suspected shooter, who still remains at large.”

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla: Devastated by the news out of Stockton last night — a family gathering shattered by an act of senseless gun violence. My thoughts are with the family and the victims in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy. My office is monitoring the situation as developments continue to unfold.