Key Takeaways:
- A shooting at a family event in Stockton, California, left four people dead and at least 10 injured on Saturday evening.
- The suspect is still at large, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
- The shooting is believed to be a targeted attack, and investigators are considering all possibilities.
- The incident has sparked shock and outrage in the community, with many calling for an end to violence in the city.
- The investigation is being led by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.
Introduction to the Incident
The city of Stockton, California, was left reeling on Saturday evening after a gunman opened fire at a family event, killing four people and injuring at least 10 others. The shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. at a banquet hall on Lucile Avenue, near a Dairy Queen. The San Joaquin County sheriff’s office received multiple 911 calls reporting the shooting, with witnesses describing a lone gunman and children as young as 9 being injured. Deputies responded quickly to the scene, where they found shooting victims in the parking lot and a large number of people panicked and screaming.
Investigation and Response
The sheriff’s preliminary investigation suggests that the incident was a targeted attack, although investigators are still considering all possibilities. The suspect is still at large, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Public information officer Heather Brent said that deputies were still investigating whether multiple people fired guns during the attack, and that victims were inside the banquet hall at the time of the shooting. Ambulances transported some of the victims to the hospital, while others arrived on their own, including two men who walked into St. Joseph’s Medical Center with gunshot wounds.
Community Reaction
The shooting has sparked shock and outrage in the community, with many calling for an end to violence in the city. Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi said that the incident was "unacceptable" and urged residents to call the Stockton Crime Stoppers hotline with anonymous tips about the shooter. Vice Mayor Jason Lee also spoke out, saying that his "heart is heavy" and that he would be pushing for answers. Many residents took to social media to express their condolences and frustration, with one resident writing, "Guns don’t solve anything, especially at a child’s birthday party!" Another resident wrote, "I truly wish our community could go back to the days where crime wasn’t like how it is now."
Background and Context
The shooting is the latest incident of violence in Stockton, which has struggled with crime in recent years. A serial killer terrorized the community from 2021 to 2022, and there have been several other violent incidents, including a mass shooting in 2015 that left three people dead and four injured. However, the city has also seen a decrease in violence in recent months, with homicides falling 34% in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The Stockton Crime Stoppers hotline has also been successful in paying out rewards for tips that have led to arrests.
Government Response
The state Office of Emergency Services is monitoring the situation and coordinating with local law enforcement, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office. Multiple law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation, including the FBI, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department is leading the case. The sheriff’s department is asking potential witnesses to come forward and is urging anyone with information to contact the Stockton Crime Stoppers hotline. As the investigation continues, the community is left to grapple with the aftermath of the shooting and to wonder how such a tragedy could have occurred.