Executive Summary
- The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
- Four people were killed, including three children aged 8, 9, and 14, and 11 others were injured.
- The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office believes the shooting was a targeted attack involving multiple shooters.
- No suspects are currently in custody, and authorities are analyzing forensic evidence and social media.
STOCKTON, Calif. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individuals responsible for a mass shooting at a children’s birthday party in Stockton. The attack, which occurred over the weekend, resulted in the deaths of four people, including three children, and left 11 others injured.
The shooting took place shortly before 6 p.m. on Saturday along Lucile Avenue, near Thornton Road. According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene of a children’s birthday party where gunfire had erupted. Sheriff Patrick Withrow stated that preliminary evidence suggests there were multiple shooters involved in the incident. Investigators are currently conducting ballistic and forensic analyses to confirm the number of weapons used.
The victims killed in the attack included a 21-year-old adult and three children aged 8, 9, and 14. Heather Brent, the Public Information Officer for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, reported that the surviving victims range in age from 8 years old to their mid-30s. While some have been released from the hospital, others remain in stable condition, with at least one victim listed in critical but stable condition as of Monday.
Authorities have described the shooting as a targeted incident rather than a random act of violence. Despite processing the crime scene for over 21 hours and reviewing witness accounts and social media footage, law enforcement officials stated that no suspects have been identified or apprehended at this time. The Stockton Unified School District has deployed counselors and mental health clinicians to support students affected by the tragedy.
Investigative Outlook
The involvement of federal authorities and the authorization of a significant financial reward indicate the high priority level assigned to this investigation by law enforcement agencies. By leveraging federal resources, local investigators aim to generate leads that may have stalled in the immediate aftermath of the event. The focus on ballistic forensics suggests that tracing the firearms could be a pivotal step in identifying the perpetrators in what appears to be a coordinated, targeted attack. It is important to note that all individuals who may be charged in connection with this investigation are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
