Relatives say Susano Archuleta was among four people killed as investigators search for those responsible.
STOCKTON, Calif. — A 21-year-old man killed when shots erupted at a child’s birthday party was identified by his aunt on Sunday, a day after the attack left four people dead and 11 wounded at a banquet hall near Lucile Avenue, authorities said.
The identification adds a personal face to a case that has shaken Stockton and drawn help from state and federal agencies. Sheriff’s officials say the Nov. 29 shooting appeared targeted, but no arrests have been made. The victims who died were ages 8, 9, 14 and 21. Detectives are collecting video, interviewing witnesses and examining recovered evidence while hospital staff continue treating survivors. Community leaders are planning vigils and pressing for answers as investigators piece together how a family celebration turned into one of the area’s deadliest shootings this year.
Relatives said the 21-year-old was Susano Archuleta, who had gone to support friends at the birthday gathering. The party drew an estimated 100 to 150 people to a building on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue on Saturday. Deputies and medics responded shortly before 6 p.m. after callers reported bursts of gunfire. Law enforcement said the shooting began inside and spilled outside, leaving shell casings across the parking area. “He was a good kid,” Archuleta’s aunt said, describing a young man who had been invited through friends of the family hosting the party. By Sunday evening, candles and balloons formed a small memorial near the taped-off entrance while workers scrubbed blood from the sidewalk.
Officials said three children were among the dead and 11 others were treated for gunshot wounds ranging from minor to critical. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office is leading the case with assistance from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Investigators recovered at least one firearm and several vehicles for processing. Authorities believe multiple shooters may have been involved, though the exact number remains unknown. The property owner told reporters the site was not permitted as a banquet hall, and neighbors said music and guests had gathered throughout the afternoon. Detectives have not publicly discussed a motive, and they have not linked the case to any previous disputes.
Stockton has struggled with gun violence in recent years, though large gatherings rarely end in mass casualties. Saturday’s attack follows several high profile shootings statewide that prompted new calls from officials for community cooperation with detectives. The city’s elected leaders, including Mayor Christina Fugazi, called the deaths of children an intolerable blow. Sheriff Patrick Withrow condemned the attackers in a briefing and asked anyone with phone video or dashcam footage to share it with investigators. Hospitals, including St. Joseph’s Medical Center, said they received multiple patients from the scene and moved quickly to stabilize children suffering from torso and leg wounds.
Detectives are building a timeline of the event, tracing how guests entered the hall, where the first shots were fired and how the shooters escaped. Authorities have not announced suspects or vehicles of interest and have not said whether the victims were targeted individually. Evidence technicians are analyzing ballistics to determine how many guns were used and whether they match weapons seized in other cases. Officials said they plan additional briefings this week. A separate police action hours after the shooting led to five arrests on gun and gang allegations in a different neighborhood, though officers said those bookings were not connected to the party attack. Investigators also are reviewing neighborhood security cameras and business systems along Thornton Road and nearby intersections.
Outside the cordoned lot on Sunday afternoon, mourners left stuffed animals for the youngest victims and scrawled messages on poster boards. A family friend who arrived with flowers said the birthday had been meant for a small child and that most guests were relatives or close friends. “This is not how anyone should leave a party,” the friend said. A neighbor who heard the shots said the first volley sounded like fireworks and then continued in bursts. Parents described rushing children to cars as deputies arrived. Clergy members led prayers at a vigil and urged comfort for the families while acknowledging that the investigation will take time.
As of Monday morning, the Sheriff’s Office said the scene search and interviews were ongoing, with the next detailed update expected later this week. The agency plans to release additional victim information after notifications. The case remains active, with the timing of the next briefing dependent on new leads and lab work.
Author note: Last updated December 1, 2025.