In Stockton, California, authorities are urging witnesses to step forward as the investigation into a tragic shooting at a child’s birthday party continues. The search for the suspect remains ongoing, and law enforcement officials are appealing to the public for help in solving the case.

The shocking incident occurred at a banquet hall on Saturday, where a gathering of over 100 people was interrupted by gunfire. The attack resulted in the deaths of three children, aged 8, 9, and 14, and a 21-year-old adult. San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow reported that the gunfire is believed to have continued outside the venue, suggesting the involvement of multiple shooters.

In addition to the fatalities, eleven individuals sustained injuries, with at least one victim in critical condition. As of Sunday evening, no arrests had been made, prompting the sheriff to call on the community to assist by providing any tips, cellphone footage, or eyewitness accounts that might help in identifying those responsible.

“We need our community to stand together against such heinous acts,” Sheriff Withrow stated. “We cannot allow this kind of violence, especially against children, to be tolerated. If you have any information, it’s crucial you come forward. Remaining silent only allows this behavior to persist.”

According to Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, investigators suspect this was a “targeted incident.” However, details on why it is considered intentional or who the potential targets might have been were not disclosed. Authorities are open to receiving any information, even if it is just a rumor, to aid in their investigation.

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.

“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.

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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Weber reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Ed White in Detroit contributed to this report.