Four Dead, Ten Injured in Mass Shooting at Child’s Birthday Party in Stockton, California

 Four Dead, Ten Injured in Mass Shooting at Child’s Birthday Party in Stockton, California

A happy birthday celebration turned disastrous Saturday night when a mass shooting at a Stockton banquet hall left four people dead and ten injured, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's office.

The incident occurred just before 6:00 pm at a restaurant hosting a child's birthday party in the northern California city. Authorities confirmed the victims include both children and adults, but health conditions of those hospitalized have not been released.

Sheriff’s representative Heather Brent described the incident as “incomprehensible” and added that preliminary reports indicate this was an intentional assault. Investigators are still piecing together what happened and have not identified a motive.

With the alleged gunman still on the loose, law enforcement agencies are taking the unusual step of reaching out to the community. District Attorney Ron Freitas asked anyone who might have information or video evidence to come forward and sent a stern message to the suspect: “Surrender yourself right away.”

City officials were outraged and saddened by the attack. Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi said families should be together, “instead of waiting in hospital hallways hoping their loved ones make it.”

The banquet hall shares a parking lot with several neighboring businesses, and investigators believe there may have been potential witnesses in the area where gunfire erupted.

Even with some of the toughest gun restrictions in the nation, California still suffers from deadly shootings. Recent judicial decisions have called into question settled rules on firearms, rekindling a debate on public safety and access to guns.

As the investigation continues, officials remain committed to identifying the gunman and supporting the families of those affected by the shooting.