Birthday Celebration Turns Into Night of Horror as Gunfire Claims Lives of Three Children and a Young Man in Stockton
A toddler’s birthday party in Stockton became the scene of one of the city’s most devastating acts of violence in recent years. Four people, including three children, were killed and at least eleven others were wounded when gunmen opened fire inside a banquet hall on Saturday evening. More than one hundred guests had gathered to celebrate a two-year-old’s birthday when the attack began.
The victims were Maya Lupian, eight, Amari Peterson, fourteen, and Susano Archuleta, twenty-one. A nine-year-old child was also killed, though relatives have not yet come forward publicly. Authorities have not released official identifications while the investigation continues, but grieving families have confirmed the deaths of their loved ones.
The city of Stockton, home to roughly 320,000 residents in California’s Central Valley, is struggling to come to terms with the events. Police believe more than one shooter may have been involved and are still working to establish motive. They have appealed to the public for any information, even unverified accounts, that might help detectives trace those responsible.
The violence erupted as guests prepared to cut the birthday cake. Patrick Peterson, father of fourteen-year-old Amari, recalled the moment gunfire broke out. He told ABC10 that he saw a gunman enter the hall and begin shooting as people ran for cover. His son was struck in the chest, and his daughter was grazed by a bullet. He described trying to save his son’s life amid the chaos on the banquet hall floor.
Loved ones remembered Amari as a kind teenager who played football and basketball and showed academic promise. His family stated that he had no link to gang activity and had simply been attending a child’s party.
Eight-year-old Maya Lupian was described by her family as bright, spirited, and unusually outgoing. She attended Aspire Apex Academy, where she excelled in school and took part in karate, dance, and drawing. Her family said she was weeks away from celebrating her ninth birthday.
The family of Susano Archuleta said he had attended the party to support a friend and was shot in the neck. His brother told the Los Angeles Times that Archuleta died in his arms. Family members described him as lively and warm-hearted.
Among the injured was local activist Jasmine Dellafosse, who has long worked on community safety efforts in Stockton. Former mayor Michael Tubbs said she was deeply shaken after witnessing the deaths of children she had dedicated her career to protecting.
The shooting marks the seventeenth mass killing in the United States this year, according to a national database maintained by Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University. While this reflects a lower figure than previous years, researchers warn against viewing it as a sign of sustained decline.
The Stockton community now faces the difficult task of mourning its young victims and supporting the dozens of people affected. Local leaders and safety advocates continue to call for information, cooperation, and renewed community involvement in violence-prevention efforts.
Authorities urge any resident with knowledge of the shooting to contact the San Joaquin County sheriff’s office or Stockton police. Even minor details may aid investigators as they work to identify the individuals responsible and prevent further violence.
Source of image: Héctor Amezcua/TNS/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
