US
Police vow to ‘hunt down animals’ behind mass shooting at children’s birthday party in California
Police have vowed to “hunt down” the “animals” behind a mass shooting at a children’s birthday party in California.
Three children and a 21-year-old died in Saturday’s shooting at a banquet hall, with 11 more injured.
“We all know that there are people out there [who] are violent and commit violent crimes,” said Patrick Withrow, sheriff of San Joaquin County.
“But these animals walked in and shot children at a children’s birthday party.”
Bystanders watch at the scene of the shooting in Stockton, California. Pic: AP
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Children killed in birthday party shooting
Officers were called to the banquet hall in Stockton just before 6pm local time (2am UK time).
Around 100-150 people had gathered to celebrate a child’s birthday.
The sheriff told reporters he had been at a Thanksgiving celebration in Oregon during the incident but “put down my grandbabies to come hunt down these animals who took somebody else’s babies away from them”.
Investigators examine the scene on Sunday. Pic: AP
A man walks near the remains of flares near the site of Saturday’s shooting. Pic: Bronte Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle/AP
He appealed for the public to send in “any little bit” of information that could lead to the arrest of the gunmen.
“If you know anything about this, you have to come forward and tell us what you know.”
There is currently nobody in custody over the incident.
First responders attending. Pic: AP
Although the investigation is still under way, Sheriff Withrow said there appeared to have been “multiple shooters” who began the attack indoors and then moved outside.
Read more from Sky News:
UK special forces unit had ‘deliberate policy’ to ‘kill fighting-aged males’ in Afghanistan, inquiry told
Chancellor: ‘Of course I didn’t’ lie about budget forecasts
Zelenskyy to make first official visit to Ireland
The shooting was “not a random act”, he said. “They walked into this area and were probably looking for somebody in particular.”
He confirmed that guns had been found on the roof of a nearby building but it was too early to say whether they were “related to this crime”.
Police have also towed multiple cars in the area, some damaged with bullet holes, in case they can be used as evidence.
“Please continue to give us more information,” he said, “and we will follow every single lead.”
A vigil was held for the victims on Sunday, according to local media, with the entire local council in attendance.
On Saturday, Stockton mayor Christina Fugazi said that “families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive”.
California governor Gavin Newsom’s office added that he had been briefed on the “horrific shooting”.