Police have vowed to "hunt down" the "animals" behind a mass shooting at a children's birthday party in California.

Three children and a 21-year-old died in Saturday's shooting at a banquet hall , with 11 more injured.

"We all know that there are people out there [who] are violent and commit violent crimes," said Patrick Withrow, sheriff of San Joaquin County.

"But these animals walked in and shot children at a children's birthday party."

Image: Bystanders watch at the scene of the shooting in Stockton, California. Pic: AP

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Children killed in birthday party shooting

Officers were called to the banquet hall in Stockton just before 6pm local time (2am UK time).

Around 100-150 people had gathered to celebrate a

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