By Sophie Austin and Christopher Weber
Stockton, California: Four people have been killed, including three children, in a mass shooting at a birthday party in the US that investigators have described as a “targeted incident”.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County sheriff’s office, east of San Francisco, California.
Emergency services at the scene of a mass shooting in Stockton, California.Credit: AP
Brent said the dead victims were aged 8, 9, 14 and 21. Eleven people were also wounded. No one was in custody by Sunday afternoon, local time, and she did not elaborate on why authorities believe the shooting was intentional or who might have been targeted.
The shooting occurred just before 6pm on Saturday inside a hall, which shares a car park with other businesses. Stockton is a city of 320,000 people, about 65 kilometres south of Sacramento.
“This was a birthday party for a young child, and the fact that this happened is absolutely heartbreaking,” Brent told reporters.
“If you have surveillance footage, if you’re a local business here, if you’re in the area, live in the area, or maybe you’ve heard rumours – please contact the sheriff’s office.”
She said she could not release information about a motive or details about a suspect, as doing so might hinder the investigation.
“Finding the person or persons who committed this crime is the No.1 priority,” Brent said.
District Attorney Ron Freitas urged the shooter to “turn yourself in immediately”.
Police officers in the car park near the scene of the shooting.Credit: AP
Faith leaders in the Stockton area were planning an afternoon vigil to honour the dead and pray for the wounded.
Community leaders express anguish
“This is Thanksgiving weekend. This is when families come together, celebrate, share memories, give each other love,” Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi said on Saturday night.
“Unfortunately, tonight, heaven is a little bigger with the individuals, children and adults that unfortunately did not make it.”
Fugazi recalled a shooting several years ago in which “seven people were gunned down” in the city.
“Stockton is better than this … Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive,” Fugazi said.
AP
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