14-year-old Amari Peterson identified as one of the victims in Stockton birthday party shooting
STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA: Investigators are moving forward in the Stockton birthday-party mass-shooting case as officials identify the first child victim, 14-year-old Amari Peterson.
The November 29 attack left 15 people injured and claimed the lives of three children, ages 8, 9, and 14, along with a 21-year-old man. As the community searches for answers, Amari’s family continues to mourn him through a GoFundMe page created in his honor.
GoFundMe launched to support Amari Peterson’s funeral costs
According to the GoFundMe page created for Amari Peterson, the fundraiser titled “Help Amari's Family Through This Tragedy” has a goal of $30,000. As of this writing, it has raised $19,655 from 474 donations, reaching 66% of its target.
The page, written in Amari’s memory, opens with the message, “Our family was hit by an unimaginable tragedy.” It continues, “One of the innocent victims in the Stockton mass shooting on Saturday the 29th was our loving 14-year-old Amari.”
Who was Amari Peterson?
The family describes Amari as “a bright, loved, and promising young soul whose life was taken far too soon by a senseless act of violence.”
They share that he was “a football player, a basketball player, a brother, son, and cousin. He was making plans and looking into colleges of choice.” They stress, “He was NOT involved in any gang activity,” adding that “the only mistake this sweet boy made was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was simply being a kid at a kids’ party.”
The family writes, “No parent should ever have to bury their child. No family should ever go from planning birthdays to planning funerals.” They ask for community support: “Right now, Amari’s parents and loved ones need support, strength, and love, as a community and as human beings. If you are able, please consider donating. If not, a simple share goes a long way. Every dollar, prayer, and repost truly makes a difference."
The page concludes by sharing, “All donations raised will go toward funeral arrangements for Amari Peterson, funds go directly to his parents Patrick & Kim Peterson. This page is operated by Amari’s god mom/aunt (Aresha Mosley) under the direction of his mother @kimkaekay.”
Family describes Amari Peterson as a gentle soul lost to violence
Patrick Peterson says he remembers the day Amari was born, calling his son “the perfect gift from God.” Now, he carries the memory of Amari’s final moments.
“All I can see is my son crawling on the ground and me trying to resuscitate him,” he said. He explained that Amari died after being shot above the heart.
Peterson and his family were among dozens celebrating inside the building Saturday when gunfire erupted. Four people died and 11 others were injured. “I just heard gunshots and then the shooter came in,” Peterson said. “I turned my back and I looked at him and I just start seeing him shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot."
Peterson says his daughter was grazed during the chaos. As people ran in every direction, he tried to reach Amari. “Everybody (was) running off and my son is just sitting there crawling, just trying to get up,” he said. “I’m trying to give him CPR and he just has blood coming out of his face. It’s just something that a father should never have to go through.”
He says the scene replays in his mind whenever he tries to lie down. “I’m like laying over my son while he’s sitting there breathing… trying to breathe…” he said. “Every day he would tell me, ‘Dad, I love you. Dad, I appreciate you.’ Every night, every morning that boy would tell me he loved me.” Peterson describes Amari as a “gentle soul,” loved by many and passionate about sports.
