At least four people have been killed in a mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in California.<\/p>\n
Ten others were injured in the shooting at a restaurant on Saturday evening, in the state’s northern city of Stockton.<\/p>\n
Local police say the victims include both adults and children. The conditions of the injured have not been confirmed.<\/p>\n
A suspect is still on the loose and police say they believe the shooting may have been “targeted”.<\/p>\n
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened shortly before 18:00 local time (02:00 GMT on Sunday), and is appealing to anyone with “information, video footage, or who may have witnessed any part of the incident” to come forward.<\/p>\n
Spokeswoman Heather Brent described the incident as “unfathomable”, adding: “This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited. <\/p>\n
“Early indications suggest this may be a targeted incident, and investigators are exploring all possibilities.”<\/p>\n
Stockton’s Mayor Christina Fugazi called the shooting “unacceptable”.<\/p>\n
“Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive.”<\/p>\n
California has some of the strictest firearm laws in the US, and has in recent years faced challenges to it.<\/p>\n
In 2021, a federal judge overturned the state’s ban on assault weapons<\/a>, such as the AR-15 rifle. <\/p>\n