STOCKTON, Calif. — A birthday party for a 2-year-old girl ended in a mass shooting that killed four people and wounded 13 others at an event hall just outside city limits, authorities said.
The gathering took place on the evening of Nov. 29, 2025, at Monkey Space, a banquet venue on Lucile Avenue in unincorporated San Joaquin County. Between about 80 and 150 guests were present when gunfire erupted shortly before 6 p.m., around the time dinner was being served and the cake was about to be cut.
Witnesses described a sudden burst of shots. People dove for cover, shielded children, and fled over fences and down nearby streets. First responders treated victims at the scene before taking the wounded to hospitals. Some were in critical condition.
The dead were identified as 8-year-olds Maya Lupian and Journey Rose Reotutar Guerrero, 14-year-old Amari Peterson, and 21-year-old Susano Archuleta. Investigators later said more than 50 rounds were fired from at least five firearms and that evidence pointed to more than one shooter.
San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow said the attack did not appear random. Officials have described it as targeted and noted that known gang members were among those at the party, though they have not confirmed a motive. No suspects have been publicly identified or arrested in connection with the killings. A reward that grew to $130,000 has been offered for information leading to an arrest. The FBI and ATF have assisted the sheriff’s office, which has jurisdiction because the hall sits just outside Stockton.
Surveillance video, cellphone footage, photographs, and witness statements remain central to the investigation. Authorities have asked anyone who saw the shooting or captured images to come forward, saying even small details could help establish a timeline and identify those responsible. Two vehicles later described as being of interest were recovered, but the case remained unsolved months afterward.
The violence left families mourning children and a young adult who had been at a party meant for joy. Relatives described Amari as a high-school athlete and devoted son; Maya as a third-grader weeks from her ninth birthday who loved to dance, draw, and practice karate; Journey as a curious, gentle child; and Archuleta as a young man just beginning adult life. Survivors and witnesses have spoken of lasting trauma.
Stockton has long struggled with high rates of violent crime. City and county leaders called the attack especially devastating because it struck children at a family celebration. Community members held vigils and offered support while waiting for answers that, months later, had still not fully arrived.
Investigators continue to process evidence and interview witnesses. For the families, the work remains grief, care for the injured, and the search for accountability after a birthday party became a crime scene.
