Four people have been killed and 10 wounded in a mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in California last night.
The attacks, suspected to be targeted, happened during a family gathering at a banquet hall in Stockton near Sacramento, officials said.
Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County sheriff’s office, said the victims included both children and adults.
Early indications ‘suggest this may have been a targeted incident,’ Ms Brent said during a news conference at the scene.
The shooter has still not been caught.
Stockton’s vice mayor Jason Lee wrote: ‘Tonight, my heart is heavy in a way that’s hard to put into words.
‘As Vice Mayor of Stockton — and as someone who grew up in this community — I am devastated and angry to learn about the mass shooting at a child’s birthday party.
‘A birthday party should never be a place where families fear for their lives.’
The shooting happened just before 6pm (2am GMT) inside the banquet hall, which shares a parking lot with other businesses.
Stockton mayor Christina Fugazzi said: ‘Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive.’
Referring to the shooter, San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas told a news conference: ‘If you have any information as to this individual, reach out immediately.’
Addressing them directly, he said: ‘If you are this individual, turn yourself in immediately.’
More to follow.
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