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Stockton, California – November 30, 2025 – A joyful children's birthday party at a banquet hall in Stockton turned into unimaginable horror Saturday evening when gunfire erupted, killing four people—including young children—and injuring at least 10 others, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office. The attack, which happened around 5:50 p.m. on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue, has left the close-knit community devastated and prompted a frantic multi-agency manhunt for the gunman, who remains at large.

What started as a lively family celebration filled with laughter, colorful decorations, and innocent excitement suddenly turned chaotic. "It was a peaceful family event until the shots rang out," Sheriff's spokesperson Heather Brent told reporters on the scene, her voice heavy with disbelief. "This is unfathomable—children among the victims. Our hearts are broken for every family affected." Witnesses described scenes of chaos: parents shielding screaming children under tables as bullets pierced the air inside the banquet hall, which shares a parking lot with nearby businesses.

About 14 people were hit by gunfire, ranging from juveniles to adults in their twenties. Three of the dead were children, a detail that has deepened the outrage and grief spreading through Stockton. Several injured victims were rushed to local hospitals, though authorities have not disclosed specific conditions to respect the families' privacy as notifications continue.

Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee, a lifelong resident, expressed the city's collective anguish in a heartfelt Facebook post shortly after the incident. "Tonight, my heart is heavy in a way that’s hard to put into words," he wrote. "As Vice Mayor of Stockton—and as someone who grew up in this community—I am devastated and angry to learn about the mass shooting at a child’s birthday party. Stockton is my home. These are our families. This is our community. A birthday party should never be a place where families fear for their lives." Mayor Christina Fugazi, who arrived at the cordoned-off scene amid flashing police lights and tearful bystanders, echoed this sentiment while promising swift action. "This violence is unacceptable," she said, standing alongside San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas. "Families should be together, celebrating—not huddled in hospital waiting rooms, praying their loved ones pull through," Fugazi emphasized the need for community unity and safety, as well as healing resources, including counseling services, now being mobilized for survivors and witnesses.

The Sheriff's Office believes the shooting was targeted, though the precise motive and whether the gunman fired from inside the hall or an adjacent parking lot remain under intense investigation.

No arrests have been made, and authorities are examining surveillance footage, witness statements, and social media for leads. "Early indications point to a targeted incident, but we're exploring every angle," Brent added. "We're urging anyone with information, video, or who saw anything suspicious to come forward immediately—your tip could bring justice." The FBI, ATF, and local law enforcement are collaborating on the investigation, with the scene still secured by yellow tape until Sunday morning.

First responders at the Stockton shooting scene. Emergency vehicles and personnel swarm the banquet hall on Lucile Avenue shortly after the shooting, as reported by The Guardian. California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed late Saturday and stated his office on X, condemning the "horrific shooting" and pledging full state support. "No family should endure this nightmare at a child's birthday," it read.

The Governor's Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with Stockton officials to provide trauma response teams and additional investigative resources. Police tape at crime scene Yellow police tape cordons off the banquet hall parking lot, where families once gathered in celebration—now a stark reminder of loss, via Reuters. Stockton, a city of about 320,000 along the San Joaquin River, has long grappled with gun violence amid socioeconomic challenges, but this brazen assault on innocence has struck a particularly raw nerve. Community leaders are calling for vigils and policy discussions on gun safety, while residents light candles outside the hall in impromptu memorials.

As dawn broke on Sunday, the question on every mind: How could joy turn to such profound sorrow so quickly? "Our top priority is safety and justice," Brent reiterated. "We will not rest until the responsible parties are held accountable." For now, Stockton mourns, its birthday balloons deflated amid the echoes of gunfire. Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office tip line at (209) 468-4900.