Police tape

Four people died after 14 people were shot at a family gathering in Stockton in Northern California on Saturday night, police said.

The shooting took place at a child's birthday party, Stockton's Vice Mayor Jason Lee said in a Facebook post.

"I am in contact with staff and public safety officials to understand exactly what happened, and I will be pushing for answers," he said.

Police said they received reports shortly before 6:00 p.m. local time of a shooting that occurred near the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton. Several victims were transported to local hospitals, the Sheriff's office reported.

4 victims confirmed dead in shooting near Stockton

Sheriff's office spokesperson Heather Brent said there was limited information to share with the public on the shooting, but did confirm that four people have died.

The incident was reported at a banquet hall where a family was celebrating inside the building. During the celebrating, gunshots erupted and 14 victims were shot, four of those people died. The victims' ages range from "juvenile and adults," according to Brent.Early indications suggest this maybe a "targeted incident," Brent said during a press conference Saturday night.

"This is a very active and ongoing investigation," Brent said. "Information remains very limited at this time."

Detectives are asking that anyone with information, contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.

"Our No. 1 priority right now is identifying this suspect," Brent said.

State officials issue statements on fatal San Joaquin County shooting

Gov. Gavin Newsom's Office issued a statement on social media late Saturday night. The governor said he's has been briefed on the "horrific shooting" in Stockton.

"The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (@Cal_OES) is monitoring this evolving situation and coordinating with local law enforcement," Newsom stated.

Rep. Josh Harder also took to social media Saturday night.

"I'm devastated at news of a mass shooting in Stockton, and Pam and I are praying for the victims and their families. My office is carefully monitoring this situation and in close contact with local law enforcement."

Vice mayor issues statement, vows push for answers

Lee expressed heartbreak and anger Saturday evening following reports of the mass shooting in the city.

“Tonight, my heart is heavy in a way that’s hard to put into words,” Lee wrote on Facebook shortly after 7 p.m. “As Vice Mayor of Stockton — and as someone who grew up in this community — I am devastated and angry to learn about the mass shooting at a child’s birthday party. An ice cream shop should never be a place where families fear for their lives.”

"Violence touched my life as a young person, and seeing our own children, parents, and neighbors go through this shakes me deeply. Stockton is my home. These are our families. This is our community," he continued. "...Our community deserves to know the truth, and the families impacted deserve justice and every resource available to support them."

The shooting site remains an active scene as details are still being confirmed. Authorities are asking people to avoid the area near Thornton Road, where the shooting occurred close to a Dairy Queen and other businesses.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Reuters contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Record: 4 dead, 14 injured in California shooting at child's birthday party

Reporting by Elizabeth Roberts, James Ward and Victoria Franco, The Stockton Record / The Record

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