At least four people were killed and ten others were wounded during a mass shooting at a family gathering in California on Saturday night, as the gunman remains at large, officials said.
The shooting broke out just before 6 p.m. inside the banquet hall on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue near Thornton Rd in Stockton, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Heather Brent told reporters, according to KCRA.
“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,” Brent said. “Detectives are actively working to determine the circumstances leading up to this tragedy.”
The victims were not identified but ranged in ages from juveniles and adults. Those who were shot were transported to area hospitals and their conditions are unknown.
Police respond to the scene of a mass shooting in Stockton, California, on Nov. 29, 2025. CBS News
The alleged gunman fled the scene and remains at large.
“Our number one priority is identifying the suspect in this incident,” Brent said.
“We’re very grateful for our local law enforcement agencies; we have called out several agencies to come out and assist,” she added.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the shooting.
Brent could not confirm the type of celebration taking place inside the banquet hall.
However, Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee said the shooting happened at a child’s birthday party, calling it a tragedy for the community 90 miles east of San Francisco.
“Tonight, my heart is heavy in a way that’s hard to put into words. As Vice Mayor of Stockton — and as someone who grew up in this community — I am devastated and angry to learn about the mass shooting at a child’s birthday party,” Lee wrote on Facebook.
The victims were not identified but ranged in ages between juveniles and adults, officials said. CBS News
“Violence touched my life as a young person, and seeing our own children, parents, and neighbors go through this shakes me deeply. Stockton is my home. These are our families. This is our community,” he said.
“Tonight, I’m sending my thoughts, prayers, and love to the families who are hurting, to the children who witnessed this trauma, and to everyone across our city who feels this pain,” Lee added. “Please God, uplift our community. We don’t deserve this. And we will not accept this as our norm.”
The tragedy happened approximately 24 hours after a shooting wounded three people inside the Westfield Valley Fair Mall on Black Friday in Santa Clara — 80 miles away from Saturday’s incident.
A verbal argument turned violent when the armed suspect pulled out a gun and allegedly shot the man he was arguing with, San Jose police said.
An adult female and 16-year-old girl were struck by stray bullets, officials revealed.
All three victims were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.