A manhunt is ongoing for suspects involved in a mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in Stockton. Four people were killed, and 11 others were injured in the attack, which took place just before 6 p.m. on Saturday at a banquet hall on Lucile Avenue near Thornton Road.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting appears to have been targeted. The victims who died were aged 8, 9, 14, and 21 years old. The 14-year-old was identified as Amari Peterson, described by his family as simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” The 21-year-old victim was named Susano Archuleta. The youngest victim, an 8-year-old third grader enrolled in the Stockton Unified School District, also died in the shooting.
Patrice Williams, who organized the party to celebrate her daughter’s second birthday, recalled that the shooting erupted as attendees were preparing to cut the cake. “All we heard was gunshots, and everybody just dove to the ground,” she said. The incident deeply impacted many families, including Williams’, as several of her relatives were injured.
Multiple agencies are investigating the case, including the Stockton Police Department, Manteca Police Department, ATF, FBI, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Patrick Withrow indicated there might have been multiple shooters and confirmed firearms were found on the banquet hall’s roof, though it is unclear if those were used in the event.
Victim conditions vary, with some improving and several discharged from hospitals. Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs confirmed one survivor, Jasmine Dellafosse, underwent surgery and will require rehabilitation. Dellafosse is known for advocating against violence in the community.
Local and state leaders expressed profound sorrow and called for unity. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the shooting “horrific” and confirmed the victims’ ages. Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi described the shooting as a result of “group gang violence” but stressed that the investigation remains ongoing. Fugazi said Thanksgiving weekend, a time for family celebrations, was marred by tragedy.
Authorities have urged the public to provide any information, even minor or seemingly unrelated details, by contacting Crime Stoppers or the Sheriff’s Office. A combined reward has been raised to $25,000 for tips leading to an arrest, with the FBI offering an additional $50,000 reward.
Neighbors reported hearing sustained gunfire and said the sound lasted about a minute. Emergency services responded promptly, and investigators spent nearly a full day at the crime scene to gather evidence.
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas called for the shooter or shooters to turn themselves in. Community leaders emphasized the need for strategic action to reduce gun violence and promote safety in Stockton.
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