The mass shooting in California that killed four people, including three kids, erupted just as a toddler was cutting cake at her 2nd birthday party, according to her mom — who said the shooters “deserve to go to hell.”
The birthday girl’s mother, Patrice Williams, said partygoers dropped to the floor as soon as the gunshots rang out inside the packed banquet hall in Stockton on Saturday.
“I actually thought it was my balloons popping. It was gunshots,” Williams said.
Investigators examine the scene of a mass shooting Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Stockton, Calif. AP
“It was just unexpected. I don’t know what happened, and I’m just so shocked and lost.”
Three children — ages 8, 9 and 14 — were killed along with a 21-year-old, authorities said. Another 11 were wounded, including one who is in critical condition.
Williams, whose daughter wasn’t injured in the ordeal, said she didn’t get a good look at the person responsible — and has no idea who would target a child’s party.
“They deserve to be in jail. They deserve to go to hell,” she said.
Blood and other remnants from where people were escaping out the back of the building, where the three children and a young adult were killed in a mass shooting at a little girl’s birthday party in Stockton. David G. McIntyre for NY Post
Patrice Williams (center), who was hosting a party for her daughter where gunfire broke out, is consoled by Bernice Bass (left) and Teresa Spivey while being interviewed in Stockton, Calif., on Dec. 1, 2025. AP
“I’m sorry, but I just … it’s not respectable. It’s a kids’ party.”
Authorities haven’t identified any suspects but have indicated the shooting was gang-related.
Among those gunned down was 14-year-old Amari Peterson and 21-year-old Susano Archuleta.
With Post wires