3 children among 4 people killed in shooting at California banquet hall: Sheriff’s office

At least four people, including three children, were killed and 11 others wounded in a mass shooting that erupted on Saturday evening at a child’s birthday party at a banquet hall in Stockton, California, authorities said.

As of Sunday afternoon, there are no suspects in custody, Sheriff Patrick Withrow of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said during a press briefing, calling for the public’s help in providing any information on the deadly shooting

Withrow said he believes that there may have been multiple shooters who perpetrated this targeted attack. Based on the evidence they have combed through so far, Withrow said that the shooting appears to have started indoors and then worked its way outside.

Three of the victims killed were children, ages 8, 9 and 14, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office told ABC News. A 21-year-old victim was also killed, according to the sheriff’s office.

Of the 11 people injured in the shooting, one was a 9-year-old, who was in fair condition on Sunday afternoon at Dignity Health-St. Joseph Medical Center in Stockton, a hospital spokesperson said.

Sheriff Withrow said there was another victim in critical condition as of Sunday night.

Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee said the shooting happened during a child’s birthday party.

Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, told reporters the gunfire came as people were at the banquet hall for the family gathering, calling the shooting “unfathomable.”

Two other adults were being treated at Dignity Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center, one for minor injuries and the other for more extensive injuries requiring surgery, a hospital spokesperson told ABC Stockton affiliate station KXTV.

Sutter Memorial Hospital in Modesto also confirmed to KXTV that they are also treating victims of the mass shooting, but were not immediately able to provide the number of patients they have or their conditions.

Brent said early indications are that it may have been a targeted shooting, although authorities have not yet identified a suspect or made any arrests.

“Our No. 1 priority right now is identifying the suspect in this incident,” Brent said.

Speaking to reporters at the scene, Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi noted the timing of the shooting, just a few days after the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Families should be together instead of at the hospital standing next to their loved one praying that they survive,” she said.

In a plea to the community, Fugazi added, “Whoever did this, if you know them… please call Crime Stoppers. You can leave an anonymous tip. We’ve got work to do and this type of violence, again, our city is better than that.”

San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said, “Tragedy of this nature is unthinkable. And it absolutely breaks our heart. Right now, we are doing everything possible to bring the individual that’s responsible for this to justice.”

Among the law enforcement agencies responding to assist are the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Stockton, a city of about 320,00 residents in central California, is located about 45 miles south of Sacramento.

The office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the governor had been briefed on the “horrific shooting.”