The mum of a toddler whose birthday party was ‘targeted’ by a gunman who killed three children and an adult has revealed she initially thought the gunshots were ‘balloons popping’
The mother of a toddler whose birthday party was “targeted” by a gunman, resulting in the tragic deaths of three children and an adult, has expressed her shock and confusion.
Patrice Williams initially mistook the gunshots for balloons popping at her daughter’s second birthday party. The family was preparing to cut the cake in a banquet hall in Stockton, California when the assailant opened fire, killing three children and a 21-year-old man on Saturday.
The perpetrator remains at large despite an urgent police appeal for information. Ms Williams, whose sister, cousin and three friends were injured in the gunfire, said today: “I actually thought it was my balloons popping. It was gunshots. It was just unexpected. I don’t know what happened, and I’m just so shocked and lost.”
One of the children killed in the atrocity has been named by a family member as 14-year-old Amari Peterson. His aunt Aresha Mosley set up a GoFundMe page in which she described the sports-loving teen as “a sweet boy” who “was in the wrong place at the wrong time”.
The other two children who died were believed to be aged eight and nine.
In addition to the three fatalities, 11 other people were shot and injured. At least one is in critical condition, according to the police.
They were among over 100 guests gathered at the banquet hall for the birthday celebration, stated San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow.
Detectives suspect that the shooting continued outside and there may have been multiple shooters involved. However, no arrests have been made yet.
Responding to the horrific incident, Ms Williams went on: “They deserve to be in jail. They deserve to go to hell… I’m sorry, but I just… it’s not respectable. It’s a kids’ party.”
The mother, flanked by relatives, became emotional as she urged parents organising birthday celebrations for their children to consider hosting them indoors due to the threat of violence.
Sheriff Withrow appealed for anyone with information to get in touch with his department, whether they have leads, mobile phone footage or eyewitness testimonies.
He stated: “This is a time for our community to show that we will not put up with this type of behavioiur, when people will just walk in and kill children. And so if you know anything about this, you have to come forward and tell us what you know. If not, you just become complacent and think this is acceptable behaviour.”
Sheriff’s spokesperson Heather Brent confirmed that investigators suspect it was a “targeted incident.”
Authorities declined to explain further why they believe the attack was deliberate or identify potential targets. She mentioned that detectives would welcome any leads, “even rumours.”
Stockton local Carolyn Tahod, who had no connection to the victims, arrived on Monday to lay flower bouquets at an impromptu shrine with candles burning in memory of the deceased. She explained: “I’m just the average person that has a big heart, and I have grandkids. I would be devastated if this were to happen in our family.”
Roscoe Brown, who revealed that the party was to celebrate his brother’s granddaughter, is employed by the city of Stockton’s Office of Violence Prevention.
Mr Brown was in Arizona when he received news of the shooting and immediately drove to the scene. He disclosed that a niece and nephew were among those shot, and he was acquainted with several other victims.
However, he did not have details regarding their conditions.
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