A shocking outburst of violence shattered a joyful family gathering in Stockton, California, leaving at least four people dead and 10 others wounded in a barrage of gunfire at a child’s birthday celebration. The incident unfolded Saturday evening in the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue, where authorities described the assault as a possible targeted attack amid an ongoing manhunt for the perpetrator.
During a somber press briefing, officials from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the shooting erupted around 6:00 p.m. at a banquet hall adjacent to a Dairy Queen restaurant, a venue chosen for its festive atmosphere. Paramedics rushed multiple victims to nearby hospitals, with the death toll rising as medical teams fought to save lives. “This remains an active scene,” the agency stated in an initial alert posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “Deputies are working to gather additional details. Information is still being confirmed and will be released as it becomes available. We will provide updates as the investigation progresses.”
Eyewitness accounts, captured in frantic videos circulating online, painted a picture of pandemonium: partygoers—many with young children—scattering as shots rang out, turning balloons and cake into backdrops for tragedy. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, leading the probe with support from local law enforcement, has urged residents to come forward with tips, emphasizing the need for community vigilance. No arrests have been made, and a detailed suspect description remains withheld pending further leads.
In the aftermath, Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee, a lifelong resident, voiced profound grief and resolve in a heartfelt Facebook message. “Tonight, my heart is heavy in a way that’s hard to put into words,” he wrote. “As Vice Mayor of—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. An ice cream shop should never be a place where families fear for their lives.”
Lee, who experienced violence in his youth, reflected on the ripple effects: “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. I am in contact with staff and public safety officials to understand exactly what happened, and I will be pushing for answers. Our community deserves to know the truth, and the families impacted deserve justice and every resource available to support them.”
He extended solidarity to those affected: “Tonight, 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. Please God, uplift our community. We don’t deserve this. And we will not accept this as our norm.”
As investigators comb the scene for ballistic evidence and surveillance footage, the episode underscores persistent challenges with gun violence in urban America. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office continues to field calls on its tip line, vowing swift action to bring closure. For ongoing coverage, Hindustan Times follows developments in U.S. news, from political shifts to local crises.
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