STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) β Four people were killed and 10 wounded in a shooting during a family gathering at a banquet hall in Stockton, sheriffβs officials said Saturday.
The victims included both children and adults, said Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County sheriffβs office. Early indications βsuggest this may have been a targeted incident,β Brent said during a news conference at the scene.
Local officials said the suspected shooter has not been caught and pleaded with the public for help. Detectives were still working to identify a possible motive.
βIf you have any information as to this individual, reach out immediately. If you are this individual, turn yourself in immediately,β San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said during a news conference.
The shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. inside the banquet hall, which shares a parking lot with other businesses. Stockton is a city of 320,000 about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Sacramento.
βThis is Thanksgiving weekend. This is when families come together, celebrate, share memories, give each other love,β Mayor Christina Fugazi said. βUnfortunately tonight, heaven is a little bigger with the individuals, children and adults that unfortunately did not make it.β
Fugazi recalled a shooting several years ago in which βseven people were gunned downβ in the city, adding that both attacks were βunacceptable.β
βStockton is better than this,β she said.
Authorities did not immediately provide additional information about the conditions of the victims. Officials said earlier that several were taken to hospitals.
βFamilies should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive,β Fugazi said.
