Stockton, California — What was meant to be a joyful child’s birthday celebration turned into tragedy when gunfire erupted, killing at least four people and injuring ten others, according to early reports. Moments earlier, the yard was filled with balloons, cake, and children laughing. Then shots rang out, sending parents scrambling to shield their children as panic swept through the party.
Several neighbors initially mistook the noise for fireworks, but screams quickly revealed the horror. Bystanders rushed to help the wounded and called emergency services as chaos filled the street. Police and paramedics arrived within minutes, securing the area and transporting victims to hospitals, leaving a community reeling from the sudden violence.
