Four people were killed and 11 others injured in a mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in Stockton on Saturday evening, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident took place just before 6 p.m. at a banquet hall in the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue, an area north of Stockton city limits. The venue, known as the Monkey Space, previously housed Kudos Children’s Theater. Authorities also closed off nearby Thornton Plaza after the shooting.
Emergency dispatchers received multiple calls reporting gunfire and several victims, including both juveniles and adults. Deputies arriving at the scene learned that among those wounded were children aged 9, 12, and 15. Officials did not immediately provide details about how many children were struck or their conditions.
Social media videos showed police and medics responding outside homes on Lucile Avenue, with evidence of clothing and debris on the ground as law enforcement secured the area.
“We can confirm at this time that approximately 14 individuals were struck by gunfire, and four victims have been confirmed deceased,” said the Sheriff’s Office in a statement. “This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited. Early indications suggest this may be a targeted incident, and investigators are exploring all possibilities. Detectives are actively working to determine the circumstances leading up to this tragedy.”
Authorities urged anyone with information or footage from the scene to contact either the Sheriff’s Office or Stockton Crime Stoppers.
San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas addressed reporters at the site of the shooting: “When this individual is caught you have my promise that you will have the full force of my office’s resources in holding this individual fully accountable,” Freitas said. “Let this ring perfectly clear in this community — in San Joaquin County — violence of this nature has absolutely no place at any time, shape or form, and children should not be harmed by gun and gang violence.”
Freitas noted that multiple agencies—including Stockton Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and FBI—were assisting with the investigation.
Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee confirmed that the event was a child’s birthday party: “An ice cream shop should never be a place where families fear for their lives,” Lee posted on social media. “Violence touched my life as a young person, and seeing our own children, parents and neighbors go through this shakes me deeply.”
Mayor Christina Fugazi condemned what happened: “Stockton is better than this,” she said near where shots were fired. “Whoever did this — if you know them — as the district attorney just said, please call Crime Stoppers. You can leave an anonymous tip. We’ve got work to do. And this. This type of violence. Again, our city is better than that.” She added: “And what happened tonight, again, unacceptable. Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survived.”
Officials asked residents to avoid areas near Thornton and Wagner Heights roads while investigations continued into Saturday night.
Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed about what occurred; his office described it as “horrific.” The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services monitored developments alongside local authorities.
Congressman Josh Harder also responded: “I’m devastated at news of a mass shooting in Stockton, and Pam and I are praying for the victims and their families,” he stated on social media. “My office is carefully monitoring this situation and in close contact with local law enforcement.”
Fugazi reflected on speaking with Newsom by phone during what she described as a weekend meant for family gatherings: “Unfortunately tonight heaven is a little bigger with the individuals — children and adults — that unfortunately did not make it.”
