Investigators continue to search for suspects, a motive, and investigate gangs behind the fatal shooting

Although the city of Stockton has fought gangs and worked to end violence on its streets in the past, the dramatic shooting of a wedding party and the horrific shooting of a dead man, including three children, have left city leaders to fend for themselves, officials say.

“We have shootings and murders in our city, but this is a different kind of hit,” said Stockton Councilmember Michele Pardilla. “This is something no one forgets.”

At least one gunman opened fire at a birthday party on Saturday, wounding 11 people and killing three children aged 8, 9 and 14. A 21-year-old child was also killed this time.

The 8-year-old boy was identified by his family on the gofundme page as Maya Lupian, a third grader at Aspire Apex Academy in Stockton.

“He deserved a childhood full of laughter, school days, Karate, family time and exposure … this is not it,” Read the page. “We could have celebrated his 9th birthday in just 2 weeks.”

Fourteen-year-old Amari Peterson was also identified by her family on a gofundme page, where she was described as a ‘bright, loved and promising Soul.’

“Amari was a football player, basketball player, brother, son and cousin,” the page reads. “He makes plans and looks at colleges.”

On Tuesday, it was announced that Rapper Burna will be covering the funeral expenses for all four victims.

“When I heard about these children being killed in Stockton, my heart broke,” the singer said in a statement.

Burna Boy said he is reaching out to Jason Lee’s mayor to see how he can support the community.

“I wanted to do whatever I could to support these parents,” she said.

On Tuesday, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s officials did not arrest or identify any suspects in the attack and are still investigating possible motives for gang members or two local rappers who have been present.

“Our investigation team is going down all avenues,” said a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department. “By disbursing inappropriate money or consideration, that can hinder our investigation.”

Brent confirmed two people associated with the rappers, and attended the event, were arrested by police in Stockton on Monday for allegedly violating the terms of breaking the tower, but the arrest is not connected to this shooting.

The shooting left the public in shock over the holiday weekend.

“It’s never been a gangster to kill children,” Lee said during Sunday’s vigil. “I hope people in our community make the right decision and contact the law.”

In a statement, Lee said he also met privately with the parents and relatives of the victims.

“This is a moment of unity and focused leadership – to guide our community through this crisis, to demand accountability and bring those who face justice,” he said in a statement.

In an interview, Lee said city officials should have looked not only to find those responsible for this incident, but to look at the causes of violent crime in their community.

“The lack of investment in these communities has created a culture where this continues to happen, and people delay,” she said.

Without resources in the community, he said, speaking to the culture of the party in the city will continue to be a challenge.

In the meantime, he said, he hopes anyone with information about the incident will come forward.

“This gang culture in Stockton, this Snitch culture, to me, is part of the challenge to change this community,” he said. “I hope people step up.”

City officials have worked with police and attorneys, and sought ways to reduce violent crime for years, occasionally seeing small victories.

So far this year, the city has recorded 34 in the evening, according to statistics from the Stockton Police Department, a trend down from last year.

In 2024, the city saw 53 murders.

On Monday, Pedilla said he visited the school where he was one of the victims and instead of greeting the students who were happy to see friends on Thanksgiving break, he saw the children in his class suffering.

“That hit me hard,” Padilla said. “Whatever their flesh, whatever their revenge, whatever their martyrdom – they should not live like children.”

Padilla said Sheriff’s officials and the Stockton police have also reached out to neighboring police agencies, seeking cooperation in helping with any potential violence that may arise as a result of the shooting.

The FBI and the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also assisting in the investigation.

Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi described the shooting as an act of terrorism related to a gang, and said she reached out to White’s office and asked to hand over the US attorney to the area to prosecute the US, and GOV.

“This could be the straw that broke the camel’s back” and gets the city resources, Padilla said.

Stockton’s former mayor from 2017 to 2021, Michael Council, said the city has a history of violent crime that it is struggling to shake. His cousin was killed in Stockton.

“Stockton has always had a problem with violence and gang violence,” he said.

Stockton Councilmember Mario Enriquez on Monday evening said he reached out to the city manager, and he hopes that the city can set up an emergency meeting to discuss what steps they can take, but the resources say that they have found deadly violence.