A family celebration in Stockton, Northern California, turned into a scene of devastation when a mass shooting inside a packed banquet hall left four people dead and ten others injured. Authorities say the attack unfolded on Sunday evening during a child’s birthday party and is now being investigated as a likely targeted strike rather than a random outburst of violence.
The gunmen entered the hall, located in a commercial complex on Lucile Avenue about 50 miles east of San Francisco, and opened fire directly into a crowd of family members gathered for the celebration. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 14 people were hit by gunfire. Children and adults were among the victims, and several of the injured were rushed to multiple hospitals across the region for emergency treatment. Officials have not yet released details about the conditions of those who survived.
Chaos erupted inside the venue as families scrambled for safety when the shooting began. Videos from the scene showed first responders tending to bleeding victims in the parking lot while law enforcement agencies from surrounding departments secured the area. Emergency vehicles continued to arrive for hours as the situation unfolded.
Investigators say early evidence points toward a targeted attack, though they have not publicly identified who may have been singled out or why. Detectives worked overnight, interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, collecting shell casings, and recreating the timeline of events. Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee said he was in constant contact with authorities and pushed for clarity about what led to the deadly ambush.
As of now, no arrests have been announced, and officials have not confirmed how many shooters were involved or what weapons were used. The banquet hall and surrounding area remain cordoned off as part of the active crime scene. Authorities have urged anyone who attended the gathering or who has recordings or eyewitness information to come forward to assist the investigation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the shooting, and state-level agencies remain in communication with local authorities as the hunt for answers and suspects continues. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, but investigators say determining who was targeted and why will be central to solving the case.
