Fact Check: Were rappers MBnel and Fly Boy Doughy targets of Stockton banquet hall mass shooting?

STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA: Following the tragic shooting incident in Stockton, California, on Saturday, November 29, a claim has been circulating online suggesting that the intended targets of the mass shooting were local gangsta rappers MBnel and Fly Boy Doughy, who had reportedly gathered to celebrate the birthday of rapper Nano's 6-year-old daughter.

So, let's see if there is any truth to that claim.

Claim: Rappers MBnel and Fly Boy Doughy targeted in mass shooting

The claim, which began circulating in November 2025, sparked immediate debate over how the shooters, allegedly targeting the rappers, missed them but managed to shoot 14 other people.

Notably, 209 Times, a verified page with over 400k followers, reported: “According to sources the targets of the mass shooting tonight at a child’s party were Stockton based rappers MBnel and Fly Boy Doughy, the party was reportedly for rapper Nano’s daughter. These reports are coming from the streets and sources in law enforcement, but remain officially unconfirmed.”

Meanwhile, another social media page on ‘X’, Patriot Forge USA, shared a video of Fox News and captioned it, “EXCLUSIVE: Inside sources say the Stockton mass shooting targeted rappers MBnel & Fly Boy Doughy at his daughter's birthday party, kids among the dead. Gang war exploding? Full thread on what cops aren't saying yet. #StocktonShooting #BREAKING”

Fact Check: Viral claims are unverified

Despite the post’s viral reach and reports citing unconfirmed information from law enforcement sources, officials have not confirmed any connection between the shooting and the music artists.

Therefore, the association remains unverified. Searches conducted across search engines also confirm that the claim remains entirely unverified. No credible media outlets have reported any such development.

Given the gravity of the tragic mass shooting, which killed three children and an adult, any verified involvement of the music artists being intentionally targeted would have been a major development and would have prompted immediate coverage by reputable news organizations.

Sheriff says Stockton birthday party shooting was a targeted attack

Four people, including children aged 8, 9, and 14, were killed and 11 others wounded in the mass shooting that erupted at a child's birthday party in a Stockton banquet hall on Saturday evening.

 San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow, while speaking to Stocktonia News, stated that investigators believe the incident involved multiple shooters and was a targeted attack, although no suspects are in custody yet. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.