Four people were killed and 10 others injured in a shooting at a Stockton banquet hall on Saturday evening. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. local time on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue near Thornton Road, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said.
San Joaquin District Attorney Ron Freitas said the shooter remains at large. “The individual responsible is still outstanding. If you have any information as to this individual, reach out immediately. If you are this individual, turn yourself in immediately,” he said.
Heather Brent, a sheriff’s office spokesperson, said early indications suggest the attack may have been targeted. “This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited. Early indications suggest this may be a targeted incident, and investigators are exploring all possibilities,” she said, adding detectives are working to determine the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
Authorities said the victims, both juveniles and adults, were believed to be attending a family gathering at the hall; the injured were taken to nearby hospitals. Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee posted on Facebook that the event was a child’s birthday party, though Brent did not confirm the type of event.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Office of Emergency Services was monitoring the situation and coordinating with local law enforcement. The gunman reportedly fled the scene. “Our number one priority is identifying the suspect in this incident,” Brent said.
Stockton, with about 320,000 residents, is roughly 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Sacramento.
