The first child victim of a horrific mass shooting at a toddler's birthday party in Stockton, California, has been named by his grieving mother as 14-year-old Amari Peterson.
A Mother's Anguish: 'My Baby Was Innocent'
Kimberly Pangnanouvong confirmed to local media that her teenage son was among the four people killed when gunfire erupted at a banquet hall on Lucile Avenue on Saturday, 29 November. The shooting, which also left 11 others injured, took place during a celebration for a two-year-old's birthday.
"My baby was innocent," Pangnanouvong told the Stockton Record. "We were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Who would have known my baby wasn't gonna come home with me?" She described Amari as a talented sportsman who played basketball and football, adding, "My baby was loved."
The boy's father, Patrick Peterson, recounted the traumatic scene to broadcasters, saying his son was a "gentle soul" who was shot above the heart. "Everybody [was] running off and my son is just sitting there crawling, just trying to get up," he said. "I’m trying to give him CPR and he just has blood coming out of his face. It’s just something that a father should never have to go through."
Victims Include Multiple Children
According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, the victims of the suspected gang-related shooting included children aged 8, 9, and 14, as well as a 21-year-old man. The 8-year-old was a pupil in the Stockton Unified School District.
Family members have identified the 21-year-old victim as Susano Archuleta, who was reportedly shot in the neck. A public information officer for the sheriff's office described the incident as "targeted" but said there was no further public information regarding a motive.
No arrests have been made and police have not named any suspects in connection with the Stockton mass shooting. A GoFundMe page set up for Amari's family emphasised he was "NOT involved in any gang activity" and had been making plans for his future education. "The only mistake this sweet boy made was being in the wrong place at the wrong time," the page stated.
Community and Official Response
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his condolences on social media platform X. "As more details emerge about this horrific shooting, my heart is with the families of the victims and the entire Stockton community," he wrote. "No child should ever have their life taken from them." Flags at the State Capitol were ordered to fly at half-staff.
Patrice Williams, whose daughter was the birthday girl at the party, told The Associated Press she hoped to see an arrest. "They deserve to be in jail. They deserve to go to hell," she said. "It’s a kids’ party."
The tragedy has cast a stark light on violent crime in the area. According to Associated Press data, Stockton's violent crime rate in 2024 was more than double that of the broader state of California.
