STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) — A tragic shooting incident took place at a banquet hall in Stockton, California, during a family gathering, resulting in four deaths and ten injuries, as reported by local sheriff's officials on Saturday. Among the victims were both children and adults, according to Heather Brent, spokesperson for the San Joaquin County sheriff’s office. Brent noted that preliminary evidence suggests the shooting may have been a targeted act.

Detectives are actively investigating the event to determine the motive, while the suspected shooter remains at large. San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas urged anyone with pertinent information to come forward, stating, If you are this individual, turn yourself in immediately. The incident unfolded just before 6 p.m. at the banquet hall, located in a busy area with shared parking for nearby businesses. Stockton, a city with a population of approximately 320,000, lies about 40 miles south of Sacramento.

Mayor Christina Fugazzi expressed her condolences, stating, 'Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive.' While officials have yet to provide updates on the victims' conditions, they have confirmed that some have been transported to local hospitals.