What was supposed to be an evening of celebration in Stockton, California, quickly turned into one of the deadliest mass shootings the city has seen.
Four people were killed, and nearly a dozen were injured when gunfire erupted at a two-year-old’s birthday party inside a strip mall on Saturday. Among those killed was 14-year-old Amari Peterson, a beloved son, brother, athlete, and, according to his father, “the perfect gift from God.”
Amari attended the party with his parents and three siblings. The family was gathered alongside dozens of others when chaos broke out just before 6 p.m.
Officials say approximately 14 people were hit by gunfire, including both children and adults. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office believes the shooting may have been targeted, though the motive remains under investigation.
In an emotional interview with Channel 13, Amari’s father, Patrick Peterson, recounted the horrifying moments he watched his son struggle to breathe.
“He was just like the perfect gift from God,” he said. “All I can see is my son crawling on the ground and me trying to resuscitate him.”
Patrick described hearing gunshots from outside before the shooter entered the venue and began firing indiscriminately.
“I turned my back and I looked at him and then I just started seeing him shoot, shoot, shoot,” he said. “Everybody was running… and then my son was just sitting there, just crawling, trying to get up.”
While trying to protect his other children, including a daughter grazed by a bullet, Patrick fought to reach Amari.
“I’m trying to give him CPR… he had one bullet hole right above his heart,” he said softly. “Blood coming out his face. It’s just something that a father should never have to go through.”
Amari’s family described him as deeply loving, attentive, and expressive, especially with his father.
“Every day he would tell me, ‘Dad, I love you. Dad, I appreciate you.’ Every morning, every night,” Patrick said. “He was loved by so many people.”
A multi-sport athlete, Amari played football, basketball, and ran track. But beyond athletics, his father says his heart defined him most.
“He was just a gentle soul, and I just can’t see why God would let something like this happen.”
As Stockton mourns, community leaders—including the city’s vice mayor and district attorney—have acknowledged that children are among the deceased, though official confirmation is still pending.
Investigators are continuing to interview witnesses and review evidence as they search for the suspect or suspects responsible.
What began as a child’s birthday party has become yet another painful reminder of the toll gun violence takes on families, neighborhoods, and entire cities.
