At least four people have been killed in a mass shooting at a child’s birthday party in California.
Ten others were injured in the shooting at a restaurant on Saturday evening, in the state’s northern city of Stockton.
Local police say the victims include adults and children. The conditions of the injured have not been confirmed.
A suspect is still on the loose and police say they believe the shooting may have been “targeted”.
The San Joaquin county sheriff’s office said the shooting happened shortly before 18:00 local time (02:00 GMT Sunday), and is appealing to anyone with “information, video footage, or who may have witnessed any part of the incident” to come forward.
Spokesperson Heather Brent described the incident as “unfathomable”, adding: “This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited.
“Early indications suggest this may be a targeted incident, and investigators are exploring all possibilities.
Stockton’s Mayor Christina Fugazi called the shooting “unacceptable”.
“Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive.”
Authorities have not yet released information about the attacker’s identity or motive behind the attack on a family gathering.
Published On 30 Nov 202530 Nov 2025
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At least four people have been killed and 10 wounded after a shooting during a family gathering in northern California’s Stockton, local authorities said.
The shooting took place at a child’s birthday party, Stockton’s Vice Mayor Jason Lee said in a Facebook post late on Saturday.
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“I am in contact with staff and public safety officials to understand exactly what happened, and I will be pushing for answers,” he said.
Heather Brent, a spokesperson for the San Joaquin County sheriff’s office, said the victims included both children and adults.
The shooting occurred inside the banquet hall, which shares a car park with other businesses.
“We can confirm at this time that approximately 14 individuals were struck by gunfire, and four victims have been confirmed deceased,” San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on X.
“This is a very active and ongoing investigation, and information remains limited. Early indications suggest this may be a targeted incident, and investigators are exploring all possibilities.”
Police said they received reports shortly before 6pm (02:00 GMT) of a shooting that occurred near the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton.
The authorities have not yet released information about the identity or the motive of the attacker. They did not immediately provide information on the severity of the injuries of the surviving victims.
The office of Governor Gavin Newsom said he has been briefed on the “horrific shooting” in Stockton and will be following up on the evolving situation.
You are not going to like all your children’s friends and sooner or later, your child will bring home a friend you just don’t warm to.
Maybe they’re rude, overconfident or have a habit of helping themselves to snacks without asking. Or maybe it’s deeper than that and you feel they bring out the worst in your child.
It’s easy to just tell your child they can’t hang out with a friend, but that often won’t solve the problem.
Parenting coach Sue Atkins and mum-of-four and comedian Ria Lina share three ways you can navigate this without driving your own kid away.
1. Consider why you don’t like them
Is it something serious like disrespect, bullying or risky behaviour, or is it just that the child rubs you up the wrong way?
Atkins says it’s worth doing a little self-audit before reacting as it’s important to separate what’s annoying from what’s harmful.
If it’s a genuine risk like dangerous behaviour or bullying then it’s time to step in more firmly, but if the issue is something like manners, you can model the behaviour you want to see.
This is something Lina, whose comedy is often about the trials and tribulations of raising four children, often does.
“When a child is under my care, they follow my standards,” she explains.
“I tell my children off for putting their feet on bus seats and if other kids under my care are doing that, then I’ll tell them to take their feet off too.”
Lina says that the reason you may not like your children’s friends is often because of a “clash of values” with other parents.
“I’ve had moments where I thought, this kid makes my kid worse but often it’s not really that child’s fault.
“For example, I don’t allow gun play at home at all, no finger guns or playing with toy guns, but lots of boys do that and that’s caused tension when I’ve told my kids they couldn’t join in.”
Sometimes talking to the child’s parents can help find a middle ground that both parents are happy with, she says.
2. Talk, don’t ban
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Identify the behaviour you don’t like in your child’s friend and talk to them about it directly
The worst thing you can do is just ban your child from seeing a friend as “you’re not helping them engage in better friendships nor are you explaining to them why they can’t spend time with that child,” says Atkins.
Being too heavy-handed can “backfire and your child will probably hang out with that friend more just to spite you.”
You should ask your child why they like that friend – what do they have in common? What do they enjoy doing together?
Listening to them share this doesn’t mean you approve of their friendship but it helps build trust between you.
“When you talk, choose your moment carefully,” says Atkins. “Watch your tone and body language because if you go in aggressive or judgemental, they’ll shut down.
“You want to build bridges, not walls.”
Lina says that it’s important to tell your child “you don’t approve of a particular behaviour and you don’t want to see them copying it,” she adds.
“That way you’re not stopping the friendship or forbidding the interaction but you’re drawing a line about what shouldn’t be repeated or endorsed.”
3. Widen the circle
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Joining a sports group can be a good way for children to meet new people
If your child seems stuck in a friendship you’re uneasy about, subtly expand their social world.
“Introduce other friends into the mix,” suggests Atkins. “Invite cousins over, make them join a sports club or try after-school activities – anything that helps them meet new people.”
It’s also important to remember that not every friendship is forever and kids often move through phases, so it’s best to see how the friendship changes over a few weeks or months before intervening.
“Sometimes it’s just a friend for the summer holidays or it’s a teenage kid trying to spite you,” says Atkins.
The best thing you can do is model the kind of friendships you hope your child will form.
Talking to them about your own relationships can show your child what respect, kindness and healthy boundaries look like and in turn, they are more likely to mimic that.
Towie star Amy Childs has given a health update after her drastic weight lossCredit: InstagramThe 35-year-old has been open about her weight lossCredit: InstagramAmy is a mum-of-fourCredit: Handout
Now, in a new post, the 35-year-old reality favourite has shared an insight into her weight loss after receiving “a lot of comments lately.”
Amy snapped a selfie in the mirror of her walk-in wardrobe, and could be seen wearing a green crop top and black leggings.
She showed off her midriff and stood barefoot while holding one hand up in the air and displaying a glam makeup look.
Amy penned to fans: “Feel like I have to do this post!! A lot of comments lately about my weight. For the past few months I have been really focusing on my nutriton with @jon_jkphysique.
“I have been really honest with you all, after losing a lot of weight, I realised I needed to understand how to eat the right way and to eat the right foods.. it’s been tough but I have started to gain healthy weight back( a little way to go) but I have been going gym, focusing on weight training and working on being more toned.”
Amy continued: “I have also been having my weekly body treatments @3daestheticsuk (will be doing another reel soon) about this treatment.
“This is not an overnight thing and it’s taking time but a journey to be my best self for the family. So please no negative comments please…
“PS jons foods are amazing 👍🏻 please give him a follow.”
Fans flooded the comments with messages of encouragement for the star, as one person penned: “you look amazing well done to you be proud of yourself.”
A second added: “Gorgeous and honest,” and a third echoed: “You look great @amychilds1990 people always have too much to say on peoples weight etc, continue to do you and be fabulous.”
In September, Amy underwent a tummy-tightening treatment.
The Towie star – who used fat jabs briefly two years ago – shared a video of herself on Instagram at the time, telling fans: “So guys, I’m on a journey to feel my most confident self.
“After having four children, dealing with weight loss and stress, my body has been through a lot! But it’s September and the perfect time to reset and create new goals.
The 35-year-old beautician went on to speak about a treatment which claims to “help tighten and firm up” the tummy after losing some elasticity.
A representative for Amy told The Sun: “Two years ago, she briefly tried weight loss injections, but they made her feel unwell and really sick, so she stopped them immediately.
“After having her babies, she wanted to feel like herself again and worked with a nutritionist, which helped her lose weight in a healthy way.
“Still, she was left with a tummy that felt jiggly and loose. This year, after her mum became ill, she lost more weight due to stress which she has spoken about on the show as well as the stress of cancelling a wedding.
“Following this she has felt a renewed drive to focus on her health.
“Through balanced nutrition, consistent training and support from 3D ReFirm treatments, she’s now on a journey to become fitter, stronger, and healthier, inside and out and tackle the areas of concern like her crepey skin on her tummy.”
Amy shares two of her four children with fiancé Billy who she first met in 2000.
