Four people shot dead at a child’s birthday celebration in California

At least four people have been killed in a mass shooting at a child's birthday party in California.

Ten others were injured in the incident that occurred Saturday evening at a restaurant in Stockton, a city in the northern part of the state.

shot dead at a child’s birthday celebration in California

According to local police, the deceased included both adults and children. The condition of the injured has not yet been confirmed.

One suspect is still at large, and police say initial estimates suggest the incident may have been "targeted."

The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office reported that the shooting occurred shortly before 6 p.m. local time (2:00 GMT Sunday). They are appealing to anyone with information, video footage, or who witnessed the incident to come forward.

Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Heather Brent called the incident "inexplicable" and said, "This is a very active and ongoing investigation, so information is limited at this time. Initial leads suggest this may have been a targeted shooting, and investigators are investigating every possibility."

Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazzi said such a shooting was "unacceptable."

"Families should be safely together, instead of standing next to their loved ones in the hospital, praying for their lives," she said.

California has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States, but they have faced several challenges in recent years.

In 2021, a federal judge struck down the state's ban on assault rifles like the AR-15.

The following year, the U.S. Supreme Court further expanded gun rights by striking down a New York law, jeopardizing similar California regulations.