STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) — California officials are calling on those who witnessed the tragic shooting at a child’s birthday celebration to provide any information that could aid in identifying the suspect, as the investigation extends into another day.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday at a Stockton banquet hall, resulted in the deaths of three children aged 8, 9, and 14, as well as a 21-year-old adult. Approximately 100 guests were present when the gunfire erupted, according to San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow. Investigators suspect that the gunfire spilled outside and that multiple shooters may have been involved.

In addition to the fatalities, eleven individuals sustained injuries, with one person reported to be in critical condition. By Sunday evening, no arrests had been made, prompting the sheriff to appeal to the public for any tips, cellphone footage, or eyewitness reports that might assist the investigation.

“Our community must stand united against such senseless violence, especially when it involves the loss of innocent children,” Withrow urged. “If you possess any information, it is imperative to share it. Remaining silent only implies acceptance of this unacceptable behavior.”

Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, stated earlier that the attack seemed to be a “targeted incident.” However, details on the motive or intended target remain undisclosed. Brent emphasized that investigators are open to receiving all sorts of information, including unverified rumors.

Roscoe Brown said the party was in honor of his brother’s granddaughter, who turned 2 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.

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.

Stockton is a city of 320,000 residents about 80 miles (130 kilometers) east of San Francisco. With 54 homicides in 2024, Stockton’s homicide rate was significantly higher than the state average. As of October, there had been 34 this year, according to city data.

Hours after the shooting, the Stockton Police Department arrested five people, including a juvenile, on weapons and gang-related charges. There was no indication that the arrests were connected to the killings at the banquet hall, the sheriff said.

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.

She expressed anguish over the loss of victims so young.

“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.

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