UPDATE: A devastating shooting during a family gathering at a banquet hall in Stockton has left four people dead and 10 others wounded. Authorities confirmed the incident unfolded just before 6 p.m. on Saturday, with both children and adults among the victims.
Officials from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office indicated that early evidence suggests this may have been a targeted attack. “Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive,” Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazzi stated, highlighting the emotional toll on the community.
The suspected shooter remains at large, prompting local officials to urge the public for assistance. “If you have any information about this individual, reach out immediately. If you are this individual, turn yourself in immediately,” warned Ron Freitas, the San Joaquin County District Attorney, during a news conference at the scene.
Witnesses reported chaos as the shooting erupted inside the banquet hall, which is located in a busy area sharing a parking lot with other businesses. Emergency responders quickly transported several victims to local hospitals, but authorities have yet to release information regarding their conditions.
This tragic event adds to Stockton’s troubling history of gun violence, following the unsolved murder of Carlos Honable in 2024. Honable was shot multiple times while sitting in his parked car, further underscoring the ongoing concerns about safety in the city.
In a grim reminder of the past, Stockton is also known for the infamous 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting, where a gunman killed five children and injured 31 others. The community has been grappling with the legacy of such violence for decades.
As detectives continue their investigation, the focus remains on identifying the motive behind this latest incident. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as the hunt for the shooter intensifies.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
