Mass shooting at California birthday party stirs outrage. 'Stop this madness'

Don Sweeney and Daniel Lempres, The Sacramento Bee on Nov 30, 2025

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A deadly shooting at a child’s birthday party in Stockton, California, has prompted online reactions of sorrow and anger.

Gunshots rang out at a banquet hall in the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue just before 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 29, resulting in four deaths and at least 10 people injured, The Sacramento Bee reported. Stockton is less than 50 miles south of Sacramento.

The gunfire took place during a child’s birthday party, Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee said in a social media post.

“An ice cream shop should never be a place where families fear for their lives,” Lee said.

Sheriff’s officials continue to investigate, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post. Officials did not identify the ages or identities of those who were killed.

Residents react with prayers, anger

News of the shooting prompted social media reactions ranging from sadness to outrage.

“I pray for all the victims, I live in Modesto and just left Memorial hospital and it was packed with some of the families. This is just crazy God be with us right now. We need you LORD,” Kenya McIntyre wrote on Facebook.

A spokesperson for Memorial Medical Center confirmed Sunday morning that the hospital received three adult patients, all in stable condition.

“Prayers for everyone. My heart breaks for these families,” read a comment by Jodi Reynolds Wilkie.

“Prayers up for the victims their family members for all of our law enforcement officers detectives swat and anyone else trying to crack this case! May the perpetrators be arrested tried in a court of law and be found guilty and be punished to the full extent of the law!!!” wrote Meada Green.

“Prayers for everyone. Prayers we catch this person or ppl. We need to fix the laws and bring god back into the family life. Stop this madness,” wrote Shirley Mayer Goulart.

“Change is needed in these young lives. So sad,” wrote Anthony Mungia.

State, local officials respond to ‘horrific’ crime

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the incident, according to his office, which called the incident “horrific.”

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services was monitoring developments and coordinating with local authorities, his office said.

Rep. Josh Harder said he was also watching what unfolded in his congressional district. “I’m devastated at news of a mass shooting in Stockton, and Pam and I are praying for the victims and their families,” he said in a social media post. “My office is carefully monitoring this situation and in close contact with local law enforcement.”

Stockton Mayor Christine Fugazi, who spoke to Newsom by phone, reflected on the magnitude of the loss during a Thanksgiving weekend meant for families “to come together, share memories, give each other love.”

“Unfortunately, tonight, heaven is a little bigger with the individuals — children and adults — that unfortunately did not make it.”

Former Manteca mayor Steve Debrum said on Facebook, “I am deeply saddened by the horrific news coming out of Stockton. The shooting that claimed the lives of innocent children and adults is a tragedy we must never accept as normal.”

Commenting on Debrum’s post, Kitty Trudeau-Walker wrote, “It’s getting downright disgusting! ... I pray they find these murderers and the sooner the better!”

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(Sacramento Bee editor Daniel Hunt also contributed to this story.)

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