Authorities in Northern California are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help identify the shooters responsible for a devastating attack at a child’s birthday party in Stockton. The mass shooting left three children and one adult dead and injured 11 others, turning a family celebration into one of the region’s most tragic incidents in recent years.
The violence erupted Saturday evening inside a banquet hall where more than 100 people had gathered. San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow said investigators believe multiple shooters may have been involved and that the gunfire continued outside the venue as people fled. No arrests had been made as of Sunday night.
The victims killed were ages 8, 9, 14, and 21. At least one of the wounded remains in critical condition. Sheriff Withrow appealed directly to the community, asking for cellphone video, eyewitness accounts, surveillance recordings, or any tips — even unconfirmed information — to help investigators move forward.
“This is not behavior we can accept in our community,” Withrow said. “If someone is willing to walk into a child’s birthday party and open fire, we need every possible witness to speak up.”
Investigators Believe Attack May Have Been Targeted
San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Heather Brent said early evidence suggests the shooting was a “targeted incident,” though officials did not elaborate on who may have been the intended target or what led up to the violence.
The banquet hall sits next to several businesses in a busy commercial area of Stockton, a city of roughly 320,000 residents about 80 miles east of San Francisco. The party was celebrating a 2-year-old girl who was not injured.
Roscoe Brown, whose family was hosting the celebration, rushed back to Stockton after hearing about the attack. Brown, who works with the city’s Office of Violence Prevention, said several relatives — including a niece and nephew — were among the injured.
“Who would do this to kids?” he said during a candlelight vigil organized by local faith leaders. “This was a child’s birthday party. It’s senseless.”
Community in Mourning as Officials Press for Answers
District Attorney Ron Freitas urged the shooter or shooters to surrender, saying, “Turn yourself in immediately.” Brent echoed that call, emphasizing that investigators welcome any lead, “even rumors.”
Hours after the shooting, Stockton police arrested five people — including a juvenile — on weapons and gang-related charges. Sheriff Withrow stressed that the arrests were not currently believed to be connected to Saturday’s attack.
Mayor Christina Fugazi said one of the young victims was a local elementary school student whose parent works for the Stockton Unified School District. Counselors will be available this week to support grieving classmates and staff.
“They should be writing Christmas lists right now,” Fugazi said. “Their parents should be shopping for presents. Instead, these families are planning funerals. It breaks my heart.”
Stockton has struggled with gun violence for years. While homicides had declined through most of 2025, officials say the city continues to see some of the highest rates among similarly sized communities in California.
Sheriff Withrow said he cut short his own Thanksgiving trip to Oregon and drove overnight to return to Stockton. “I put down my grandbabies to come hunt down the people who took someone else’s babies,” he said.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are processing evidence from the banquet hall and surrounding businesses, interviewing attendees, and reviewing videos shared by the public. Investigators say the next 48 hours are critical as they work to establish a clear timeline and identify suspects.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.
