Four people were killed and 10 others were hospitalized with injuries following a shooting at a California banquet hall where a family was hosting a celebration Saturday night, authorities said.
Gunfire erupted shortly before 6 p.m. at the location on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s spokesperson Heather Brent said at the scene.
Brent characterized the event as a family celebration. Jason Lee, vice mayor of Stockton, said in a statement that the violence erupted at a children’s birthday party.
Brent said the victims included children and adults.
“It’s unfathomable that there were young children that were harmed,” she said.
The exact conditions, ages and genders of the victims were unavailable, and sheriff’s investigators were working on identifying the gunman, the sheriff’s spokesperson said.
“This may be a targeted incident,” Brent said. “Our No. 1 priority right now is identifying the suspect in this incident.”
It was unclear whether the gunfire originated inside or outside the banquet hall, she said. The FBI, Stockon police and other law enforcement agencies were assisting with the investigation, Brent said.
The office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on X that he’s been briefed on the “horrific shooting” and that the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with law enforcement as it monitors the situation.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Linda Takahashi contributed.
