At Least Four Killed in Shooting at Child’s Birthday Party in Stockton, California: Full Details, Timeline, Victims, and Investigation Update
Stockton Shooting: A child’s birthday party in Stockton, California, turned into a nightmare on Saturday evening, November 29, 2025. The celebration was being held inside a rented banquet hall when gunfire suddenly broke out. At least four people were killed, including both children and adults. Ten others were hurt. Police say this may have been a targeted attack, not a random shooting.
The shooting happened around 6:00 p.m. in Stockton’s Seaport District. The city, home to about 320,000 people, is shaken and heartbroken. Stockton’s Vice Mayor Jason Lee called the attack “heartbreaking” and said violence like this “should never happen at a birthday party.”
The investigation is being led by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. They are working with Stockton Police, the California Highway Patrol, and the FBI. Early reports suggest multiple gunmen were involved. They ran away in a vehicle after the attack. No suspects have been caught yet. Police are still trying to understand the motive, and there are early rumors about gang issues or family disputes, but nothing is confirmed.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office says they are watching the situation closely and are offering state support. Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi asked people to pray for the victims and stressed the need for answers. The community is in shock, especially because the tragedy happened during the holiday season.
This post covers the timeline of event, details about the victims, how law enforcement responded, and how the community is reacting. It also looks at the broader issue of gun violence in the Central Valley. Information is based on official briefings, witness statements, early forensic reports, and updates from major news outlets.
Stockton Shooting Full Details: 4 Killed and 10 Wounded
The shooting began just before 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2025, inside a rented banquet hall on Lucile Avenue in Stockton’s Seaport District. The hall was hosting a 9-year-old’s birthday party with around 40–50 family members and friends. People were enjoying cake, music, and games when gunfire suddenly erupted from the parking lot. Windows shattered, children screamed, and people dove under tables as the celebration turned into panic.
Witnesses say the first shots came around 5:55 p.m. 911 calls quickly poured in. Deputies arrived within four minutes and found chaos everywhere. Four people were dead at the scene—three adults and one 9-year-old child. Ten others were rushed to nearby hospitals, with several in critical condition. Investigators found more than 30 shell casings from different handguns. Security cameras showed two or three suspects in dark clothes running to a dark-colored car and driving off, but the license plate was unclear.
The hall shares a parking lot with nearby businesses, which made it easy for the shooters to approach. Officials described the scene as overwhelming and heartbreaking, with families crying and children injured. By 7:00 p.m., police blocked off two full blocks as a crime scene. Forensic teams searched the area under bright lights. Stockton’s Vice Mayor visited and expressed deep sadness, saying the attack felt personal to the whole community.
The hall’s owner said the venue had passed safety checks but did not have security or metal detectors for private events. By Sunday morning, the death toll stayed at four, though two injured children were still in surgery.
By 9:00 p.m., California Governor Gavin Newsom had been briefed. His office said state agencies were ready to help. Stockton’s mayor also asked the community to pray for the victims and support first responders. Crisis teams were sent to help families deal with the shock and trauma of the tragedy.
Victims and Eyewitness Accounts: A Community Shattered by Sudden Violence
Four people were confirmed dead. Two were men in their 30s, both family friends with clean records. One was a 32-year-old woman—the mother of the birthday child—who was shot while trying to protect her daughter. The fourth was the 9-year-old birthday boy, who died from his injuries even though a guest trained as an EMT tried to save him.
Ten people were injured: six adults ages 25–48, and four children ages 7–12. Their injuries ranged from small grazes to very serious wounds. Three people are still in the ICU at St. Joseph’s, including a 10-year-old girl who also lost her uncle in the attack.
Witnesses described a terrifying scene.
Maria Gonzalez, 41, said from her hospital bed: “One minute we’re singing ‘Happy Birthday,’ the next, glass is breaking and kids are screaming. I covered my niece. The boy was on the floor, bleeding. It felt like a war zone.”
Another guest, 28-year-old mechanic Javier Ruiz, said he heard 20–30 rapid shots. He saw men in hoodies run in from the parking lot. People ran in panic, even stepping on the birthday cake as they tried to escape.
The child’s father said the party theme was superheroes. “He wanted to be Spider-Man,” he said. “I don’t know how to tell his little sister what happened.”
The banquet hall’s design made things worse. There was only one main entrance, shared parking with other businesses, and no security included in the $500 rental. The owner, Patel, said the place had passed inspection recently and was meant for happy events like weddings and birthdays. “No one expects something like this,” he said.
Law Enforcement Response: Multi-Agency Hunt for Suspects
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office took charge of the case. More than 100 deputies and detectives were called in by midnight. Stockton Police brought their Gang Unit, CHP used helicopters to search from the air, and the FBI joined to help with forensic work. This level of response is standard when more than three people are killed.
In a 10:00 p.m. update, Sheriff Brent said officers found 28 shell casings from two different guns. The evidence was sent to the DOJ lab for testing. A description of the getaway vehicle was shared through AMBER Alert systems, and officers are checking videos from more than 50 nearby businesses.
The Governor’s Office announced a $50,000 reward for information. Tips can be sent to the sheriff’s hotline or Crime Stoppers.
The state also sent crisis counselors to hospitals and a community center. The FBI offered digital help, including checking phone data from the area. By Sunday afternoon, no suspects had been arrested, but the sheriff said there were “promising leads,” including sightings of a similar vehicle in Lodi. A search warrant was carried out at a house in Lodi connected to someone who attended the party. Investigators found “items of interest,” but no arrests were made.
Brent repeated that the attack appeared targeted. She asked the public to share dashcam footage or any information that might help. She said the investigation is still active and details are limited.
Community Impact: Grief, Gun Violence Context, and Calls for Action
Stockton is a Central Valley city with about 320,000 people. It has rich farming history but also many struggles. Around 28% of the population lives in poverty. This year, the city has seen 142 homicides, which is 15% more than last year. This shooting is Stockton’s worst mass shooting since the 2012 Sikh temple attack.
The party took place in the Seaport District, a diverse Latino area. On Sunday, more than 500 people gathered for a vigil at Weber Point. They held candles and superhero balloons to honor the young boy who died. The mayor said children should never have to fear celebrating. Faith leaders prayed for the families, and youth groups promised to hold anti-violence programs.
The shooting adds to California’s ongoing gun-violence problems. Even with strong gun laws, the state recorded 4,200 gun deaths in 2024. Stockton’s gun-death rate is 2.5 times higher than the national average. This incident is the 380th mass shooting in the U.S. this year. Some groups blame weak enforcement and easy access to guns, while others say mental health failures play a big role.
Governor Newsom said no family should go through such pain. Mayor Fugazi said families should be together at home, not in hospitals praying for loved ones. As Thanksgiving nears, community groups are holding food drives at the site to honor the victims and turn sorrow into strength.
Stockton Shooting Updates and Next Steps: Seeking Justice Amid Mourning
At 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Brent shared new updates. She said forensics confirmed the shooters used semi-automatic handguns. Teams are tracing the serial numbers now. Witnesses said the gunmen were masked men who ran east after the shooting. There are new leads from Lodi, and investigators say they look “promising.”
The FBI is checking cellphone pings from the area to find anyone linked to the attack. The ATF is tracing the shell casings. Autopsies will take place on Monday at the coroner’s office. The victims’ names will be officially released by Tuesday after families give permission.
A large task force is now working together, including the ATF and FBI. They are also looking at possible gang connections. Police say fights between Norteño and Sureño gangs have caused about 60% of Stockton’s shootings in 2025. Community forums are planned for December 1 at the Boys & Girls Club. The 988 mental-health hotline is open for anyone who needs support.
Brent said investigators are checking every possible angle. The shooter is still on the run.
This tragedy—gunfire at a child’s birthday party—is a painful reminder of how violence destroys families and communities. As people prepare for Thanksgiving with heavy hearts, Stockton waits for justice. Our thoughts are with the city.
