Shooting at children's party in California leaves four dead

A shooting at a family event in the Northern California town of Stockton killed four people and injured about a dozen others Saturday night. This was reported by local authorities and police.

According to Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee, the incident took place during a child's birthday party. "I'm in contact with authorities and law enforcement to find out exactly what happened. I will demand answers," Lee said on Facebook.

Police received reports of a shooting shortly before 6 p.m. local time in the area of Lucile Avenue. "We can confirm that approximately 14 people were struck by gunfire and four of them are deceased," the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said on the social network X. It stressed that the investigation is in its early stages and there is little information yet.

Preliminary findings suggest it may have been a targeted attack, but authorities are looking into all possibilities. No information about the perpetrator has yet been released.

According to information released locally, the meeting was attended by Filipino-born rapper MBNel, who came to celebrate "his cousin's daughter". A motive of inter-gang violence is therefore presumed.

(reuters, sab)