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.

14-year-old among the dead

The 14-year-old killed in the mass shooting was identified as Amari Peterson.

"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. He lived in Modesto, California.

"I'm just lost for words. Just pray for me, my family, his friends, everybody who came across him. My baby was loved."

What we know about the other victims

Officials have released 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: Victoria Franco, USA TODAY Network

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 3 children killed at California birthday party. Who are the victims?

Reporting by Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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