4 dead, 10 injured in shooting at birthday party in Stockton, California

Four people were killed and 10 wounded in a shooting during a family gathering at a banquet hall in Stockton, sheriff’s officials said on Saturday evening.

Heather Brent, a spokeswoman for the San Joaquin County sheriff’s office, said the victims included both children and adults. Early indications “suggest this may have been a targeted incident”, Brent said during a news conference at the scene.

“Shortly before 6pm, our dispatch centre received reports of a shooting that occurred near the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton. We can confirm at this time that approximately 14 individuals were struck by gunfire, and four victims have been confirmed deceased,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a social media post.

“This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited … Detectives are actively working to determine the circumstances leading up to this tragedy.”

The shooting occurred inside the banquet hall, which shares a car park with other businesses.