STOCKTON, California (AP) — Authorities are calling on witnesses to step forward in the wake of a tragic shooting at a birthday party that left four people dead, including three children aged 8, 9, and 14. The incident, which took place on Saturday at a banquet hall in Stockton, has left the community in shock.
San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow reported that in addition to the four fatalities, eleven other individuals sustained injuries, with at least one person in critical condition. As of Sunday evening, no suspects were in custody, and law enforcement officials are investigating the possibility of multiple shooters.
This is a time for our community to show that we will not put up with this type of behavior, when people will just walk in and kill children, Sheriff Withrow stated, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Investigators believe that the shooting was a targeted incident, yet details on who might have been targeted remain unclear. The sheriff's office is open to any tips or video evidence that could aid in the investigation.
Residents expressed outrage and sorrow over the incident. Roscoe Brown, whose family attended the party, stated, You can’t shoot up a party. That’s senseless. A kid’s party, at that. He noted that several of his relatives were shot during the attack, and he emphasized the need for the community to respond actively against such violence.
Emmanuel Lopez shared his heartbreak over the loss of his brother, 21-year-old Susano Archuleta, who died at the scene. His daughter, only 9 years old, was also injured in the shooting.
In a city with a high rate of violent crime, Stockton's mayor, Christina Fugazi, expressed her deep sadness over the young victims. They should be writing their Christmas lists right now... I can’t even begin to imagine what these families are going through, she said.
The community is reeling, and a vigil has been organized to honor the victims and pray for those injured. As authorities continue their investigation, they emphasize the importance of community cooperation to bring justice and prevent future tragedies.
