A family gathering in Stockton, California, turned into a deadly scene on the evening of November 29, 2025, after gunfire erupted during a child’s birthday celebration, authorities said.

The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies received calls about a shooting at approximately 6 p.m. local time at a location on Lucile Avenue. Investigators said approximately 14 people were struck by gunfire.

Four victims were confirmed dead, while 10 others were injured and transported to hospitals for medical treatment. Authorities said the victims included both children and adults, although officials initially provided limited information about their identities and conditions.

According to Stockton officials, the shooting occurred while a family was celebrating a child’s birthday. The incident prompted a major emergency response, with law enforcement and medical personnel rushing to the scene as investigators began working to determine exactly what had happened.

The sheriff’s office described the investigation as active and said early indications suggested the shooting may have been targeted. Authorities emphasized that the motive had not been established and that investigators were considering multiple possibilities.

The identities of the victims were not immediately released. Investigators also appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident or had video footage or other information that could help establish what happened to contact authorities.

Local officials expressed concern for the victims, their families and the wider Stockton community as investigators continued their work.

The shooting shocked residents because the location was being used for what should have been a family celebration. Instead, the gathering ended with multiple people killed or wounded and a large-scale criminal investigation underway.

Authorities continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, including what led to the gunfire and whether the incident was specifically directed at particular individuals.

At the time of the initial reports, officials had not publicly established a motive, and further details were expected as detectives interviewed witnesses and examined evidence from the scene.