Birthday Party Mass Shooting That Killed 4 Had Multiple Gunmen, Sheriff Says

STOCKTON, CA — The San Joaquin County sheriff pleaded with the public for help to find the people who killed four — including three children — and injured 11 at a child's birthday party Saturday evening in Stockton.

The shooting occurred shortly before 6 p.m. at a banquet hall, where 100 or more were gathered, near the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue, according to Sheriff Patrick Withrow. The deceased are ages 8, 9, 14 and 21, and at least one of the survivors is in critical condition, Withrow said at a Sunday afternoon press conference streamed live by ABC10.

"These animals walked in and shot children at a children's birthday party," Withrow said. "If you know anything about this, you have to come forward and tell us what you know."

Police believe there were multiple shooters and that the incident started indoors and moved outside, Withrow said, confirming guns were found on the roof of the building, but it's unknown if they were related to the attack.

“We’re confident that this was not a random act,” Withrow said. “This was not somebody who was unacquainted with them, we don’t believe.”

Roscoe Brown said the party was in honor of his brother's granddaughter, who turned 2 years old and was uninjured. Brown, who works for the city of Stockton's Office of Violence Prevention, was in Arizona when he learned about the shooting and drove straight to the scene. He said a niece and nephew of his were shot, and he knows several other victims. He didn't have information about their conditions.

“Who would come and do that to some kids, you know?” Brown told The Associated Press following a vigil organized by faith leaders to honor the dead and pray for the wounded. “You can’t shoot up a party. That’s senseless. A kid's party, at that.”

Emmanuel Lopez told the Los Angeles Times his brother, 21-year-old Susano Archuleta, was shot in the neck and died at the scene. Lopez said his 9-year-old daughter was shot in the head but survived. He didn't share details about what led up to the shooting.

Mayor Christina Fugazi told reporters that the 8-year-old victim attended a local school and had a parent who worked for the Stockton Unified School District. The mayor said counselors would be available this week at city schools.

“They should be writing their Christmas lists right now. Their parents should be out shopping for them for Christmas. And to think that their lives are over. I can’t even begin to imagine what these families are going through. Breaks my heart,” Fugazi said on Sunday.

Anyone with information about or footage of the shooting is asked to contact the sheriff’s office or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 209-946-0600.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.