A mourner holds a flower at a vigil on Nov. 30, 2025 remembering the victims of a mass shooting at a children's birthday party at a banquet hall in Stockton, California. Four people died and 11 others were injured in the shooting.

More than 100 people gathered at a banquet hall in central California to celebrate a child’s birthday party when gunfire erupted Nov. 29, killing four and wounding 11 others.

Much is still unknown about the shooting, which occurred at a shopping mall complex in San Joaquin County, just outside Stockton. The attack appeared to be targeted, San Joaquin Sheriff Patrick Withrow said, and investigators are working to identify one or more suspects involved.

"These animals walked in and shot children at a children’s birthday party," Withrow said during a Nov. 30 news conference, pleading for those with information to come forward.

A total of 15 people sustained gunshot wounds during the shooting, the sheriff’s office confirmed. Three children – ages 8, 9, and 14 – and a 21-year-old were killed, said Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.

Here is what we know so far about the victims.

Amari Peterson, 14

The 14-year-old killed in the mass shooting was identified as Amari Peterson. He lived in Modesto, California, about 31 miles south of Stockton.

"My baby was innocent," Peterson's mother told the Stockton Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. The outlet did not name the woman. "We were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Who would have known my baby wasn't gonna come home with me?”

"He was good in everything he did," she said, describing Peterson as loving, caring, and a wonderful athlete. According to a GoFundMe page for funeral arrangements, Peterson was a football player, a basketball player, a brother, son, and cousin.

Peterson's family called him a "bright, loved, and promising young soul whose life was taken far too soon by a senseless act of violence," according to the GoFundMe page.

In a social media post, the Central Valley Youth Basketball Academy encouraged people to donate to the fundraiser, calling Peterson a "great young man" who had "(so) much more to give the world."

What we know about the other victims

Officials have released a few details about the other victims of the shooting.

Roscoe Brown, a Stockton city employee, told the Associated Press the birthday party was held for his brother's granddaughter, who turned 2 years old. She was uninjured, he said.

Brown said a niece and nephew of his were shot.

Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi confirmed that the 8-year-old who was killed was a student in the Stockton Unified School District. She said the child’s parent also works for the school district.

Withrow, the sheriff, told reporters Nov. 30 that he did not know whether the victims were related or whether any of the deceased were from Stockton.

Of the injured, Withrow said at least one was in critical condition.

"The only thing I know is that I know at least one is critical," he said. "The status on all the other victims, I’m not sure."

Hillary Crowley, a spokesperson for San Joaquin County, said officials were not confirming names or details of those killed.

Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY; Victoria Franco, USA TODAY Network

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Promising young soul.' Victims killed at California party remembered

Reporting by Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect