3 Kids, 1 Grownup Killed in Mass Capturing at Children’ Birthday Celebration
Three children and one adult died and 11 others were injured during a mass shooting at a kids’ birthday party in California.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office reported to the scene on November 29 around 6 p.m. following reports of a shooting “that occurred near the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton,” according to the department’s Facebook post.
Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee said in an additional Facebook post that the incident took place during a kids’ birthday party.
Meanwhile, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Heather Brent said that the shooting took place in a banquet hall “where a family was celebrating,” according to ABC10.
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The sheriff’s office shared another update via Facebook on November 30, revealing that the four deceased victims were 8, 9, 14, and 21 years old.
“It is now confirmed that a total of 15 individuals sustained gunshot wounds during the incident,” the post read.
“This is still a very active and ongoing investigation, and information continues to develop. Early indications suggest this may have been a targeted incident, and investigators are exploring all possibilities,” the sheriff’s office continued in the statement.
The office continued, “We are grateful for the information that has already been coming in from the community, and we ask that it continue. With the tips, video, and witness accounts provided so far, detectives are actively working on suspect descriptions and moving toward identifying and locating the individuals responsible for this horrific act.”
The sheriff’s office went on to pay tribute to the victims. “Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this devastating violence,” the statement continued before they urged anyone with information or video footage to come forward amid the investigation. “Community cooperation remains critical as we work toward justice for the victims and their loved ones.”
Authorities are currently working to identify one or more suspects in the shooting.
“These animals walked in and shot children at a children’s birthday party, and none of us should stand for that,” San Joaquin County sheriff Patrick Withrow said during a press conference on November 30, per NBC News.
Withrow went on to explain that shell casings and rounds found at the scene were still being processed for conclusive evidence, and he noted “there appears to be multiple shooters.”
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Meanwhile, Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi said the shooting was the result of “group gang violence,” per KCRA of Sacramento.
“We’re confident that this was not a random act,” Withrow said of the shooters. “They walked into this area probably looking for someone in particular. This was not somebody who was unacquainted with them.”