At least four people were killed and ten others injured on Saturday evening when a gunman opened fire inside a Stockton banquet hall where a child’s birthday party was under way, authorities said.
The shooting began shortly before 18:00 local time inside the hall, which sits in a car park shared by several businesses on the city’s north side. All four fatalities and the ten wounded were found at the scene; the injured include both children and adults, officials confirmed. Hospital conditions have not been released.
San Joaquin County Sheriff’s spokesperson Heather Brent said early evidence “suggests this may have been a targeted incident.” No suspect has been identified and no arrest has been made.
District Attorney Ron Freitas, speaking at a news conference, appealed directly to the gunman: “If you have any information as to this individual, reach out immediately. If you are this individual, turn yourself in immediately.” Detectives have asked anyone with information to contact the Sheriff’s Office.
Stockton Vice-Mayor Jason Lee wrote on social media that “a birthday party should never be a place where families fear for their lives,” while Mayor Christina Fugazzi added: “Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive.”
The banquet hall was cordoned off overnight while forensic teams worked inside. Investigators are reviewing security-camera footage and interviewing witnesses to establish a motive.