URGENT UPDATE: A devastating shooting at a family gathering in a banquet hall in Stockton has left four people dead and ten others injured as authorities seek the public’s help in identifying the suspected shooter. The incident occurred just before 6 p.m. on Saturday, shocking a community already grappling with gun violence.
According to officials from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, the victims include both children and adults, underscoring the tragedy of the event. Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, indicated that early evidence suggests this may have been a targeted incident.
“We have not apprehended the suspect and are pleading for anyone with information to come forward,” Brent stated during a news conference at the scene. San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas urged, “If you have any information regarding this individual, reach out immediately. If you are this individual, turn yourself in immediately.”
The banquet hall, which shares parking facilities with surrounding businesses, became a scene of chaos as families gathered for what was supposed to be a joyous occasion. Mayor Christina Fugazzi expressed her heartbreak, stating, “Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved ones, praying that they survive.”
Local hospitals are treating several victims, although their conditions have not yet been disclosed. This tragic shooting adds to a troubling history of gun violence in Stockton, including the unsolved 2024 murder of Carlos Honable, who was shot while parked in his car. The city is also haunted by the memory of the 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting, one of the nation’s deadliest, which killed five children and injured 31.
Authorities continue to investigate the scene, and residents are urged to stay vigilant. As this situation develops, the community rallies in support of the victims and their families, highlighting the urgent need for safety and peace in the area.
For anyone with information, the local authorities emphasize the importance of immediate action. The investigation is ongoing, and updates will follow as more details become available.
Stay tuned for further developments on this tragic incident and its impact on the Stockton community.
