Police plead for tips as three children aged 8 to 14 are killed in Stockton birthday party shooting

STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA: California Police appealed to the public for tips, mobile phone clips, witness accounts, and other proof as the suspects in the mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in Stockton, California, remain at large. The shooting led to the deaths of three children, aged eight to 14, and an adult.

In a press conference on Sunday, November 30, San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow told the press that authorities believed there were multiple shooters. He also mentioned that while the shooting began indoors, it went on outdoors.

Sheriff urges anyone with information to contact his office

Sheriff Patrick Withrow said the deceased were aged eight, nine, 14, and 21. According to him, eleven people were wounded, with at least one in critical condition. No one was in custody by Sunday and the sheriff urged anyone with information to contact his office.

He said during a media briefing, "This is a time for our community to show that we will not put up with this type of behaviour, when people will just walk in and kill children."

"And so if you know anything about this, you have to come forward and tell us what you know. If not, you just become complacent and think this is acceptable behaviour," Withrow added.

The sheriff’s spokesperson Heather Brent earlier said that investigators believed it was a "targeted incident." Officials did not explain why authorities thought it was intentional or who might have been targeted.

On Sunday, faith leaders held a vigil to honor the deceased and pray for the wounded.

Investigators welcome any information regarding the shooting

The mass shooting took place just before 6 pm on Saturday, inside the banquet hall, which shares a parking lot with other businesses in the city.

Brent told reporters, "This was a birthday party for a young child, and the fact that this happened is absolutely heartbreaking," adding that investigators would welcome any information, "even rumors."

Meanwhile, District Attorney Ron Freitas warned the shooter to "turn yourself in immediately."

The Stockton Police Department arrested five people hours after the shooting, including a juvenile, on weapons and gang-related charges. However, there was no indication that the arrests were connected to the killings at the banquet hall, the sheriff said.

Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi informed reporters that the eight-year-old victim attended a local school and had a parent who worked for the Stockton Unified School District.

The mayor added, "They should be writing their Christmas lists right now. Their parents should be out shopping for them for Christmas. And to think that their lives are over. I can’t even begin to imagine what these families are going through. Breaks my heart."