Four killed and ten wounded at a child’s birthday party; investigators say early signs point to a targeted attack.
STOCKTON, Calif. — Four people were killed and ten others were wounded when gunfire erupted during a family gathering at a banquet hall in Stockton around 6 p.m. Saturday, authorities said. The suspect remained at large Sunday as detectives canvassed the area and reviewed evidence.
Officials said children and adults were among the victims of the Saturday night shooting, which unfolded inside a commercial strip mall on the city’s north side. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance from local and state partners. Early statements from investigators described the attack as potentially targeted, though a motive has not been established. City leaders called the violence heartbreaking, noting the gathering was a child’s birthday party. Hospitals treated multiple patients overnight, and the identities of those killed were being withheld pending family notification.
Deputies and Stockton police responded within minutes after 911 callers reported shots fired shortly after 6 p.m. at the banquet hall. Law enforcement taped off a wide area of storefronts and parking lots while paramedics rushed victims to nearby hospitals. Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, said preliminary information “suggests this may have been a targeted incident,” adding that detectives were pursuing leads from witness interviews and security cameras. Vice Mayor Jason Lee said the celebration was for a child’s birthday and described the scene as “devastating” for families who had gathered to mark a milestone. Mayor Christina Fugazi expressed sorrow, saying the city was “hurting” and that residents were rallying around the affected families.
Authorities said the shooter fled before officers arrived. The sheriff’s office did not release a description of the assailant Sunday morning, and it was not immediately clear how many weapons were used. Investigators were collecting shell casings and canvassing nearby businesses for footage. Officials confirmed four fatalities and ten injuries. Hospital staff reported treating victims ranging from juveniles to adults; one adult underwent surgery overnight, and a child was listed in fair condition, according to city officials briefed by medical centers. The banquet hall sits in a busy corridor of shops and eateries; families who had been attending evening classes and grabbing ice cream nearby described sprinting for cover when shots rang out.
Stockton has confronted cycles of gun violence over the years, but officials said the scale of Saturday’s attack — at a child’s birthday party — struck a raw nerve as the region emerged from the Thanksgiving weekend. Law enforcement agencies noted that large family events can draw extended relatives and friends, complicating early witness lists and victim notifications. Records show the north Stockton commercial area includes community spaces that often host quinceañeras, birthday parties and school events. Residents recalled an increased security presence at local venues following prior disturbances this fall, though police said there was no active threat to the general public after the suspect fled. Community groups prepared vigils and counseling support as families waited for word on loved ones.
Detectives with the sheriff’s office and Stockton Police Department worked through the night, issuing a request for tips and promising additional updates as evidence is processed. Officials said they were reviewing surveillance video from businesses along the 1900 block area and expected to provide a more detailed timeline as witness statements are taken and compared. The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office assigned prosecutors to consult on potential charges once a suspect is identified and arrested. As of Sunday afternoon, authorities had not announced any arrests, and the time of the next formal briefing was not set. The investigation will include ballistics testing, autopsies by the coroner’s office, and a review of prior calls for service at the venue.
Outside the taped perimeter Sunday, candles and flowers began to appear near a traffic median as relatives made quiet phone calls and hugged one another. A woman who said her niece had been invited to the party described frantic texts to gather younger cousins and leave the area as sirens approached. Store managers nearby swept broken glass from their doorways and spoke with officers about what their security cameras captured. “This is a close-knit city,” Fugazi said, noting that faith leaders and school counselors had offered space and support. “We will stand with these families.” Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said he had been briefed on the shooting and called the violence “horrific.”
As of Sunday evening, the sheriff’s office said the death toll remained at four and the number of wounded at ten, with several victims still being treated. Investigators continued the manhunt for the shooter and planned to release updates on victim identifications and any suspect information when confirmed. The next major milestone is the sheriff’s update expected later today; if a briefing time is announced, authorities said it will be shared through official channels.
Author note: Last updated November 30, 2025.