FBI offers $50K reward in Stockton banquet hall shooting; manhunt for multiple shooters continues
Just before 6 p.m. at a banquet hall in Stockton, Calif., gunmen opened fire during a 2‑year‑old’s birthday party, killing four people — three children (ages 8, 9 and 14) and a 21‑year‑old identified as Susano Archuleta — and wounding 11 others, one critically. Sheriff Patrick Withrow said early evidence suggests a targeted attack involving multiple shooters; a manhunt continues, the FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information, and authorities have urged witnesses to come forward while noting five people arrested on weapons and gang charges have not been tied to the killings.
📌 Key Facts
- A mass shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. inside a Stockton banquet hall that shares a parking lot with other businesses during a 2-year-old’s birthday party; the toddler was uninjured.
- Four people were killed and authorities have revised the wounded count to 11; the victims who died ranged in age from 8 to 21 (children ages 8, 9 and 14, and a 21-year-old identified by family as Susano Archuleta).
- Family members say a 9-year-old relative was shot in the head but survived, and at least one of the wounded remains in critical condition.
- Detectives and the sheriff say early indications point to a targeted incident and that gunfire continued outside; investigators believe there may have been multiple shooters.
- A manhunt is ongoing: the suspected shooter(s) remain at large, District Attorney Ron Freitas urged suspects to turn themselves in, and the FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
- Stockton police arrested five people (including a juvenile) on weapons and gang charges hours after the shooting, but officials say there is no indication those arrests are connected to the killings.
- Authorities, including Sheriff Patrick Withrow, have renewed calls for witnesses, tips and cellphone video to aid the investigation; eyewitnesses say the shooting erupted as attendees gathered to cut the birthday cake.
- Mayor Christina Fugazzi (Fugazi in some reports) and local officials stressed the toll on families, announced counselors will be available in city schools (noting an 8-year-old victim attended a local school), and placed the shooting in the context of Stockton’s recent homicide counts (54 in 2024; 34 through October 2025).
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, the homicide victimization rate in California was 22.3 per 100,000 for Black individuals, compared to 4.8 for Hispanic individuals, 2.4 for White individuals, and 1.4 for other groups.
Homicide in California 2024 — California Department of Justice
In 2024, Black victims represented 29.0% of known race/ethnicity homicide victims in California, despite comprising only 5.5% of the state population, resulting in a rate 9.3 times higher than the state average.
Homicide in California 2024 — California Department of Justice
In 2024, 20.1% of homicides in California where circumstances were known were gang-related.
Homicide in California 2024 — California Department of Justice
In 2020, Black children in the US had a firearm homicide rate 11 times higher than White children (14.5 vs. 1.5 per 100,000).
Federal Efforts in Examining Racial and Ethnic Disparities Among Victims of Violent Crime — U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
📰 Sources (6)
- FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
- Sheriff Patrick Withrow said there 'appears to be multiple shooters,' reinforcing the multi-suspect theory.
- Eyewitness detail: shooting erupted as attendees gathered to cut the toddler's birthday cake.
- Named the party host, Patrice Williams, who stated several relatives and friends were among the injured and offered public remarks.
- Victim ages specified: children ages 8, 9, and 14 were killed along with a 21-year-old adult.
- Family identified the adult victim as 21-year-old Susano Archuleta (per brother Emmanuel Lopez).
- Lopez said his 9-year-old daughter was shot in the head but survived; at least one victim remains in critical condition.
- Party was for a 2-year-old who was uninjured, according to a family member (Roscoe Brown).
- Mayor Christina Fugazi said the 8-year-old victim attended a local school and that counselors will be available across city schools.
- Context: Stockton recorded 54 homicides in 2024 and 34 as of October 2025, per city data.
- Detectives believe gunfire continued outside and that there may have been multiple shooters.
- At least one of the 11 wounded is in critical condition, authorities said.
- Sheriff Patrick Withrow issued a renewed call for witnesses, tips, and cellphone video to aid the investigation.
- Officials reiterated the shooting was a 'targeted incident,' without elaborating on a motive or intended target.
- The event was a 2-year-old’s birthday party; a family member identified the 21-year-old victim as Susano Archuleta and said a 9-year-old relative was shot in the head but survived.
- Stockton Police arrested five people (including a juvenile) on weapons and gang charges hours after the shooting, but there is no indication those arrests are connected to the killings.
- Mayor Christina Fugazi said counselors will be available in city schools and noted the 8-year-old victim attended a local school.
- Officials increased the wounded count to 11 (previously 10).
- Victims who died ranged in age from 8 to 21, per the sheriff’s office.
- Sheriff’s spokesperson said early indications suggest it was a targeted incident.
- The event was a family gathering at the banquet hall.
- Time of incident: just before 6 p.m.
- DA Ron Freitas publicly urged the suspect to turn himself in; suspect remains at large.
- Mayor Christina Fugazi emphasized the Thanksgiving‑weekend context and appealed for community help.
- Authorities say the suspected shooter has not been caught; DA Ron Freitas publicly urged the suspect to turn himself in and asked the public for tips.
- The shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. inside a banquet hall that shares a parking lot with other businesses.
- Additional on-record quotes from Mayor Christina Fugazzi emphasizing the toll on families.