A tragic incident unfolded in Stockton, California, on Saturday evening when a family gathering was disrupted by a mass shooting. The incident, which took place in a banquet hall on Lucile Avenue near Thornton Rd, resulted in at least four deaths and ten injuries. The suspect remains at large, according to local law enforcement officials.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Heather Brent, reported that the shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. The investigation is currently active and ongoing, with limited information available at this time. Preliminary findings suggest that the incident may have been a targeted attack, but investigators are exploring all possibilities to uncover the circumstances that led to this tragic event.
The victims, whose identities have not been released, range in age from children to adults. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals, but their conditions have not been disclosed. The alleged shooter fled the scene and is currently being pursued by law enforcement.
Brent emphasized that the top priority of the investigation is to identify the suspect. She expressed gratitude for the support of local law enforcement agencies, several of which have been called in to assist with the investigation. California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the incident.
While the nature of the event taking place at the banquet hall has not been confirmed by Brent, Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee stated that the shooting occurred at a child’s birthday party. Lee, who grew up in the community, expressed his devastation and anger over the incident, calling it a tragedy for the community located 90 miles east of San Francisco.
Lee shared his heartfelt sentiments on Facebook, expressing his deep sorrow and anger over the incident. He sent his thoughts, prayers, and love to the affected families, the children who witnessed the trauma, and the entire city.
This incident occurred roughly 24 hours after another shooting at the Westfield Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara, 80 miles away, which left three people injured. The suspect in that incident allegedly shot a man he was arguing with, and two bystanders, an adult woman and a 16-year-old girl, were hit by stray bullets. All three victims were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.