California birthday party mass shooting that killed four labelled ‘domestic terrorism’
Gunmen have targeted a little girl’s birthday party in California, killing three children and leaving ten others wounded in what authorities call “domestic terrorism”.
A California mass shooting that left three children and a young adult dead at a little girl’s birthday party was gang-related, according to the town’s mayor.
A total of 15 victims were struck when the deadly chaos unfolded just before 6pm on Saturday local time at Monkey Space, a banquet hall in Stockton, Fox40 reported.
Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi told the outlet the shooting was related to gang violence, labelling the tragic incident “domestic terrorism.”
“Let’s call it what it is. This is domestic terrorism. This is gang violence, and it has to stop in our city,” Fugazi told the outlet.
She also added that President Donald Trump’s advisers had called her early Sunday to offer their assistance — and that she has asked the US District Attorney to find the gunman who remains on the lam.
Authorities were originally “looking for one suspect. Now, we’re looking for a possibility of multiple,” Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, told the outlet.
Neighbours claimed that gunfire appeared to sound off from multiple locations during the chaotic shooting, KCRA reported.
Those killed in the gunfire were ages eight, nine, 14 and 21, police said.
The injured included a nine, 12, and 15-year-old, and went up to age 22, the Sacramento Bee and a local pol added.
The injured nine-year-old was listed in “fair condition,” with one adult victim suffering only a minor injury. The condition of the others who were injured is not immediately clear.
The shooting appeared to be a “targeted” attack, Brent previously told reporters.
“This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited,” she said. ”Early indications suggest this may be a targeted incident, and investigators are exploring all possibilities.”
Faith leaders in Stockton planned an afternoon vigil on Sunday to honour the dead and pray for the wounded.
The 8-year-old victim was a student at a local school and had a parent who worked for the Stockton Unified School District. Counselors will be available this week at city schools to help those who are grieving, Fugazi told reporters on Sunday.
Community leaders expressed their grave anguish at the young age of the slain victims.
“They should be writing their Christmas lists right now. Their parents should be out shopping for them for Christmas. And to think that their lives are over. I can’t even begin to imagine what these families are going through. Breaks my heart,” Fugazi said.
This story originally appeared in the New York Post
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Originally published as California birthday party mass shooting that killed four labelled ‘domestic terrorism’
