Four people were killed Saturday night during a mass shooting at a child’s birthday party near Stockon.
At least 14 people were shot during the carnage, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s office. In addition to the four people who died, 10 others were taken to local hospitals with injuries.
Police said that shortly before 6 p.m. dispatchers received reports of a shooting that occurred near the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in an unincorporated area just north of the Stockton city limits.
“This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited,” San Joaquin County Sheriff’s officials said on social media Saturday night. “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.”
Police had few details Saturday night.
Heather Brent, a spokeswoman for the San Joaquin County sheriff’s office, said at a news conference near the site that both children and adults were shot. She said it occurred in a banquet hall in a commercial area next to a Dairy Queen and other businesses.
She said she was unable to disclose whether the shooting occurred from inside the building or outside, or where the shooter was.
“Everything is still under investigation,” she said.
“It is unfathomable that there are young children who are harmed — that there is anybody who was harmed — and our hearts to out to those victims, their families and our community,” she said.
Jason Lee, vice mayor of Stockton, said in a Facebook post that he was “devastated and angry” when he heard the news.
“A birthday party should never be a place where families fear for their lives,” Lee said. “Violence touched my life as a young person, and seeing our own children, parents and neighbors go through this shakes me deeply. Stockton is my home. These are our families. This is our community.”
He pledged all resources to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“I’m sending my thoughts, prayers, and love to the families who are hurting, to the children who witnessed this trauma, and to everyone across our city who feels this pain,” Lee said. “Please God, uplift our community. We don’t deserve this. And we will not accept this as our norm.”
The governor’s office issued an update on social media.
“Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the horrific shooting in Stockton,” the statement said. “The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is monitoring this evolving situation and coordinating with local law enforcement.”
U.S. Rep. Josh Harder, D-Stockton, also issued a statement Saturday night.
Rep. Josh Harder also took to social media Saturday night.
“I’m devastated at news of a mass shooting in Stockton, and Pam and I are praying for the victims and their families,” Harder said. “My office is carefully monitoring this situation and in close contact with local law enforcement.”