Host of birthday party in California mistook gunfire for balloons popping

December 2, 2025

A two-year-old's birthday celebration in Stockton, California, turned into a tragedy when gunfire erupted during the party, killing four people including three children aged eight, nine, and fourteen, along with a 21-year-old guest. The attack occurred as approximately 100 guests gathered around a birthday cake in a banquet hall, with the violence beginning inside before spilling onto the street, injuring eleven additional people. Authorities believe multiple perpetrators targeted the gathering with automatic weapons and remain at large, though officials state there is no ongoing community threat.

Who is affected

Four deceased victims: Maya Lupian (8 years old), an unnamed 9-year-old, Amari Peterson (14 years old), and Susano Archuleta (21 years old)
Eleven injured individuals, including one critically wounded
Patrice Williams (mother who organized the party for her two-year-old daughter)
Ms. Williams' other daughter, cousin, and three friends who were shot
Patrick Peterson (father of Amari Peterson and father of a 9-year-old daughter who was also injured)
Emmanuel Lopez (brother of deceased victim Susano Archuleta)
Approximately 100 party guests who witnessed the attack
Willie Collins (tenant of the event space)
The broader Stockton community of 320,000 residents
Family members who attended the party

What action is being taken

San Joaquin Sheriff's Department, FBI, and other federal agencies are investigating the crime scene
Police are searching for perpetrators and clues
Authorities are calling on the public to provide tips, videos, and information about rumors
Officials are offering a growing reward for information
California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered flags at the state capitol to fly at half-staff

Why it matters

This shooting represents a devastating instance of violence targeting children at what should have been a safe, celebratory event, highlighting the erosion of community safety even in everyday family gatherings. The incident underscores Stockton's escalating violent crime crisis, as the city and San Joaquin Valley already had California's highest violent crime rate in 2023. The attack's apparent targeted nature and involvement of multiple perpetrators with automatic weapons suggests organized violence, possibly gang-related, that threatens entire communities. The tragedy demonstrates how violence disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, including young children with promising futures, while leaving surviving family members and witnesses with profound trauma.

What's next

Authorities expect to catch the perpetrators, with the mayor stating they "will never see the outside of a prison cell again"
The mayor is calling on perpetrators to turn themselves in
Officials are continuing to seek public cooperation through tips and information
Families are seeking funeral donations through crowdfunding websites
The event space is unlikely to reopen soon, if at all, according to tenant Willie Collins

Read full article from source: BBC