The Stockton birthday party shooting turned what should have been a joyful celebration into a devastating tragedy on November 29, 2025. The incident occurred during a 2-year-old girl’s birthday party at an event hall in the Stockton area of San Joaquin County. In a matter of seconds, a gathering filled with families and children became the scene of chaos and fear when gunfire suddenly erupted, leaving four people dead and more than a dozen injured.

The party took place at Monkey Space Event Hall on Lucile Avenue. Around 80 to 100 guests had gathered for the afternoon celebration, which began at approximately 3 p.m. Family members and friends were enjoying food, music, and games as they prepared to sing “Happy Birthday.” Just before the birthday cake was about to be served at around 6 p.m., multiple gunshots rang out. At first, some attendees thought the loud popping sounds were fireworks, but the reality quickly became clear. Panic spread through the crowd as people realized they were under attack. Guests rushed to find safety while parents desperately tried to shield their children from the gunfire.

Investigators later found more than 50 shell casings scattered across the scene, suggesting that several firearms had been used during the shooting. Authorities believe multiple masked individuals may have been involved, and early evidence indicated that the attack could have been targeted rather than random.

Four people were killed in the tragedy: 8-year-old Maya Lupian, 8-year-old Journey Rose Reotutar Guerrero, 14-year-old Amari Peterson, and 21-year-old Susano Archuleta. In addition to those who lost their lives, 13 others were wounded but survived the attack. By mid-December 2025, all of the injured victims had been released from local hospitals.

The investigation is being led by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from federal authorities. Officials have offered a reward of $130,000 for information that could lead to arrests. As the investigation continues, community members in the Stockton area have held vigils to honor the victims and are calling for justice for the families affected by the tragedy.