A mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in Stockton on Saturday evening left four people dead, including three children, and 11 others wounded. The incident took place just before 6 p.m. at the Monkey Space banquet hall in an unincorporated area of San Joaquin County, north of Stockton city limits.
San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow said deputies responded to reports of gunfire and found 15 victims. “Our units responded and found approximately 15 victims of gunshot wounds at this party. And, unfortunately, four of those 15 are deceased,” Withrow stated.
Authorities said the attack began inside the banquet hall before moving outdoors. “It appears that it started indoors and then worked its way outdoors,” Withrow told reporters during a Sunday news conference.
The shooting occurred at a venue located in The Outpost shopping center near Thornton Road. At the time, there were between 100 and 150 guests attending the party, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Heather Brent.
The victims included children aged 8, 9, and 14, as well as a 21-year-old adult. Their names have not been released; county spokesperson Hilary Crowley explained this was done “out of the deepest respect for the families” and at investigators’ request.
Eleven other individuals sustained injuries of varying severity. Sheriff Withrow noted that at least one person was in critical condition but did not provide updates on others. A Modesto Bee reporter confirmed that three patients taken to Sutter Memorial Hospital in Modesto were stable.
Following the shooting, hundreds gathered for a vigil near the crime scene on Thornton Road. Community leaders called for unity and an end to violence. Trina Turner, pastor at Victory in Praise Church, addressed attendees: “I want you to look around at the people that’s gathered here today… But I need us to stand tomorrow and next week and next month, to begin to speak out.”
Leon Scoggins, founder and pastor of Life Unity Church, expressed anger over the deaths: “I’m mad as hell that an 8-year-old, that a 9-year-old, that a 14-year-old, that a 21-year-old was killed in our city… But we’re going to leave and say, ‘Devil you will not have this city.’”
Vice Mayor Jason Lee urged against retaliation: “It’s human to want to hurt people who hurt people you love,” Lee said. “But I had a choice to make… I hope that the people out there in our community make the right choice and contact law enforcement.” He added: “It’s never been gangster to kill kids.”
No arrests have been made as authorities continue their investigation. Sheriff Withrow stated: “We do not have anyone in custody at this time, with charges or anything like that regarding this crime.” Early evidence suggests more than one shooter may have been involved.
“We believe, from what we’ve gathered so far, that it appears to be multiple shooters,” Withrow said during his briefing.
Investigators are reviewing video footage and witness statements while processing physical evidence from several vehicles removed from the scene for forensic analysis.
While some officials initially suggested gang involvement or possible targeting of local rappers such as MBNel or Fly Boy Doughy—claims circulating online—law enforcement has not confirmed these reports nor identified any specific target or motive. Sheriff Withrow emphasized caution: “We’re not going to say one thing or specifically another thing until we’ve gone through all our evidence… We’re confident this was not a random act.”
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with support from state and federal agencies including the California Highway Patrol, Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and FBI.
A reward totaling $25,000 is being offered for information leading to arrests in connection with the case; contributions include $10,000 each from Crime Stoppers and Mayor Christina Fugazi personally plus $5,000 pledged by Councilmember Mariela Ponce via Stocktonia reporting.
Mayor Fugazi condemned the violence: “Stockton is better than this,” she said. She encouraged residents with information about those responsible to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously: “Families should be together instead of at the hospital… praying that they survived.”
Rep. Josh Harder (D-Tracy) also commented: “The past 24 hours have been incredibly difficult for our Stockton community… No community deserves this. No child deserves this.” Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Tracy) called it “a senseless loss of life.”
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office described the event as “horrific” while confirming coordination between state emergency services and local authorities.
District Attorney Ron Freitas pledged strong prosecution if suspects are apprehended: “When this individual is caught… you will have the full force of my office’s resources in holding this individual fully accountable.”
Authorities ask anyone with information or video related to Saturday’s events—even if minor—to contact either San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office at 209-468-4400 or Stockton Crime Stoppers at 209-946-0600.
