Four killed, including three children, in shooting at Stockton birthday party

A shooting at a 2-year-old’s birthday party near Stockton, Calif., left four people dead, including three children, city and county officials said. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation into the attack, which took place just outside Stockton’s city limits.

Crime-scene images described in reports showed a blood-soaked pink unicorn, a tiny shoe, balloons, five guns and more than 50 shell casings. Four people were killed — three children, ages 8, 8 and 14 — and one adult; among the dead was Amari Peterson, a high school freshman. Police said the shooting was gang-related, though its links to Stockton’s rap scene were described as unclear, and one prominent local rapper, MBNel, was reportedly wounded.

The authorities have made no arrests and officials said a reward for information has grown to $130,000. Stockton’s police department said it has documented about 86 gangs and roughly 2,700 gang members; the department also reported that homicides are down 26 percent this year so far and nonfatal shootings have declined 16 percent, figures officials noted even as the city mourns.

Local leaders and violence-prevention workers have mobilized in the shooting’s aftermath: the city’s Office of Violence Prevention sent former gang members to hospitals to gather information and try to prevent retaliation, and Mayor Christina Fugazi said she is seeking federal help with the city’s gang problem.

Key Topics

World, Stockton, Amari Peterson, Mbnel, Advance Peace, Gang Violence