Police are searching for the suspect who killed four people, including three children, and injured 11 others in a shooting at a family gathering in Stockton, California, on Saturday night – and they are appealing to the public for any tips.
“If you have surveillance footage, if you’re at a local business here, if you’re in the area, live, or maybe you’ve heard rumors – please contact the Sheriff’s Office,” said San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Heather Brent.
Brent said investigators have said they believe the shooting was a targeted incident at a banquet hall where at least 100 people had gathered for a birthday celebration Saturday night. He did not elaborate on why authorities believe it was intentional or who may have been targeted.
The victims who died were ages eight, nine, 14 and 21 and were taken to local hospitals, Brent said.
“Finding the person or persons who committed this crime is the number one priority,” Brent said.
“I am confident … that we will find the animals that did this and bring them to justice,” San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow said at a news conference late Sunday. Authorities are searching for several suspects. “From what we’ve gathered so far, it appears there are multiple shooters,” Withrow said.
Withrow said he knew at least one of the injured was in serious condition but did not know about the others. The three adults were in stable condition at the hospital, according to local news station KCRA 3.
The shooting happened just before 6 p.m. Saturday inside a banquet hall, which shares a parking lot with other businesses. Stockton is a city of about 320,000, about 45 miles (70 km) south of Sacramento.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said detectives are “working to determine the circumstances leading to this tragedy”.
“This was a little kid’s birthday party and the fact that this happened is absolutely heartbreaking,” Brent told reporters.
District Attorney Ron Freitas urged the shooter to “immediately come inside,
“We are urging anyone with information, video footage, or who witnessed any part of this incident to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office immediately,” police said.
Faith leaders in the Stockton area were planning an afternoon prayer service to honor those killed and to pray for the injured.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed about the shooting, his office said in a post on social media. “Our hearts are broken for their families and the entire Stockton community,” Newsom posted later Sunday.
Mayor Christina Fugazi said, “It’s Thanksgiving weekend. It’s when families come together, celebrate, share memories, give each other love.” “Unfortunately tonight, heaven is a little bigger with those individuals, children and adults who unfortunately couldn’t make it.”
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