A mass shooting at a family gathering inside a Stockton, California banquet hall left at least four dead and 10 others wounded Saturday evening, authorities said. The suspected shooter remains at large.
Heather Brent, spokesperson for the San Joaquin County sheriff’s office, said children and adults were among those shot. She added that officials have not yet released the conditions of those hospitalized.
“Early indications suggest this may have been a targeted incident,” Brent said. “This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited.”
The shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. in northern Stockton. The banquet hall, which shares a parking lot with several businesses, including a Dairy Queen, was hosting a family celebration at the time, Brent said. Stockton is approximately 40 miles south of Sacramento.
Authorities are asking the public for any information that could help identify the suspect. “Investigators are exploring all possibilities,” Brent said.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.
There have been at least 380 mass shootings in the U.S. this year, defined as incidents in which four or more people are shot, not including the shooter, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Recent examples include:
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January: A shooting at Martin’s Super Market in Elkhart, Indiana, left two dead and two police officers injured.
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August: A man opened fire in the lobby of a New York City skyscraper, killing a police officer and injuring others.
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September: A student allegedly opened fire at Evergreen High School in Colorado, critically wounding two students.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the Stockton shooting. Mayor Christina Fugazi said in a statement that the governor has “offered the full support of the state of California” to assist the community.
“Tonight our city is facing a heartbreaking and painful situation,” Fugazi wrote. “Please keep the victims, their loved ones, and our first responders in your prayers.”
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