8-year-old killed in mass shooting identified as Stockton Unified student

STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA: An 8-year-old child killed in the mass shooting at a Stockton banquet hall has been identified by the Stockton Unified School District (SUSD) as one of their students, making the youngest victim of the attack a member of the school community.

The deadly incident, which unfolded during a birthday party gathering, left four dead and several others wounded.

8-year-old Stockton student identified among shooting victims

District officials have confirmed that an 8-year-old killed during a mass shooting on Saturday evening at a children’s birthday party has been identified as a Stockton Unified student.

Spokesperson Melinda Meza said in an email that district officials on Sunday night confirmed that the youngest of the four people killed in the hail of gunfire attended an SUSD school, although no additional details, including the name, have been released.

“We are deeply saddened to learn that one of the victims of last night’s tragic mass shooting was a Stockton Unified School District student,” SUSD Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez said in a statement late Sunday.

“We hold this student’s family in our hearts, and we grieve alongside them and our entire community.” 

Gunmen open fire at Stockton birthday party, killing four

The announcement came less than 24 hours after multiple gunmen reportedly fired into a north Stockton banquet hall where more than 100 people were celebrating a child’s birthday.

The tragic event left four people dead, three of them children, and at least 11 others wounded.

The shooting occurred just before 6 pm at a banquet hall in the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in a neighborhood just north of Hammer Lane, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

Initial reports indicated that 14 people had been shot in the attack, four of whom died. On Sunday, however, sheriff’s spokesperson Heather Brent said the number of those struck by gunfire was 15. She said the ages of the victims killed were 8, 9, 14, and 21.  

Officials say Stockton shooting wasn’t random as search continues

During a news conference Sunday afternoon, authorities said no arrests have been made, and investigators have not released any information on possible suspects.

San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow said a motive for the shooting has not yet been identified, despite earlier comments from city and county officials suggesting the attack was gang-related.

“We’re confident that this was not a random act. They walked into this area and were probably looking for somebody in particular,” Withrow said at the news conference.

“Why they did that, what they’re part of, who they are, we don’t know.”