A birthday party meant to celebrate childhood turned into a scene of tragedy and grief after a mass shooting at a north Stockton banquet hall killed four people — three of them children — and left over a dozen wounded. What should have been an evening of joy and laughter ended in shattered families and a city grappling for answers.
Who the Victims Were
Among those killed was Maya Lupian, an eight-year-old girl described by her family as bright, loving, and full of life. She was struck just two weeks before what would have been her ninth birthday.
Also lost was Journey Rose Reotutar Guerrero, another eight-year-old girl — a third-grader whose family recalled her as kind, curious, and artistic, with dreams of becoming a doctor one day.
The tragedy also claimed the life of Amari Peterson, a 14-year-old from Modesto, remembered by loved ones as athletic and full of promise.
Finally, a 21-year-old adult, identified as Susano Archuleta, also died — the oldest of the victims, cutting short a life at the threshold of adulthood.
Authorities initially reported 11 wounded, but later updated the count: as many as 17 people were shot in total, some of whom took themselves to hospitals after fleeing the scene.
Harsh Realities: From Celebration to Chaos
The shooting happened just before 6 p.m. on Saturday at a venue known as Monkey Space, located on Lucile Avenue. Around 100 to 150 people had gathered to celebrate a 2-year-old’s birthday.
As the party prepared for the cake-cutting moment, gunfire erupted — a “targeted attack,” officials now believe. Some bullets came from inside the hall, others outside, suggesting the possibility of multiple shooters.
The aftermath was chaotic: children and adults scrambled for cover as bullet holes punctured walls and decor. Witnesses later described a scene of panic, tragedy, and disbelief.
Families Grieve, Community Unites
In the days since, families and a stunned community have begun to mourn collectively. At a vigil held near the site of the shooting, dozens gathered in the cold — lighting candles, holding flowers, praying, and searching for some measure of comfort in shared grief.
Close family members described scenes no parent should ever have to endure. One grandmother recounted how she tried to shield children by pushing over tables; dozens fled into closets; others collapsed to the floor as bullets rained. Yet despite efforts to protect them, some lives could not be saved. “I actually thought it was my balloons popping,” one mother said — until she realized it was gunshots.
The loss has been profound — not only of lives, but of futures: childhoods ended, dreams extinguished, families forever altered. The local school district has announced counseling and mental-health support for students and staff affected by the tragedy.
Search for Answers — and Justice
As the city tries to heal, law enforcement has continued to urge the public for help. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from statewide and federal agencies, remains on the hunt for the gunmen. So far, no arrests have been made.
To encourage information from the community, a substantial reward has been offered: the FBI has put up $50,000 for tips leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Yet for many, that does little to fill the void left by the lives lost. The grief remains raw — and Stockton’s residents are left grappling with a painful reminder of how fragile safety can be, even in the most joyous of moments.
