Four people were killed and ten others wounded after gunfire erupted at a family celebration in California on Saturday evening, in what authorities believe may have been a targeted attack.
The shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. inside a banquet hall in Stockton, northeast of San Francisco, according to Heather Brent, spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Speaking at a late-night press briefing, Brent confirmed that the victims ranged in age “from juveniles to adults” and were transported to nearby hospitals.
“What we can confirm at this stage is that a family had gathered inside a banquet hall when the shooting took place,” she said. “We have 14 total victims. Four are deceased. Early indications suggest this may have been a targeted incident, though investigators are exploring every possibility.”
Authorities offered no immediate details about the circumstances of the attack or a potential motive. As of Sunday morning, no suspect had been identified.
In a statement posted on social media, the sheriff’s office said detectives were “working to determine the events leading up to this tragedy” and urged anyone with information or video footage to come forward. “We are asking witnesses, or anyone who may have captured any part of this incident, to contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately,” the statement read.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the shooting, his office confirmed.
The Stockton attack adds to a grim tally of gun violence across the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, this marks the 504th mass shooting recorded in the country so far this year. The organisation defines a mass shooting as any incident in which four or more people are shot, excluding the perpetrator.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to piece together what unfolded at the family celebration turned tragic.
