The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Saturday’s massacre that killed four and wounded more than a dozen at a children’s birthday party in Stockton.
The reward comes in addition to $25,000 offered from the Stockton Crime Stoppers program, with additional contributions from Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi and Councilmember Mariela Ponce.
The suspects in the attack that killed two elementary schoolchildren, a teen and a young adult are still at large. The attack occurred during a birthday party for a 2-year-old, creating a chaotic, bloody scene that has attracted nationwide attention and shocking a community that’s already seen its share of gun violence.
San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow has appealed to the public for any clues that might lead to the capture of those involved in the attack, which was described as “targeted.”
“We still need the public’s help on this,” Withrow said a day after the mass shooting. “This is a time for our community to show that we will not put up with this.”
Key details have yet to be publicly revealed. The sheriff said his office had not determined how many people are implicated in the attack. No suspect details — height, weight, clothing or other information — has been disclosed. Withrow said weapons were found at the scene, but it was not clear how many or what kind. Investigators have not yet determined whether they were used in the fatal shooting. Spokesperson Heather Brent said ballistics tests were being run on the firearms.
The FBI said any tips, photos or video related to the attack can be submitted confidentially to a Bureau website dedicated to the Stockton shooting. Federal officials also said tips can be called into the Stockton Crime Stoppers’ anonymous tip line at (209) 946-0600.
Crime Stoppers offered a $10,000 reward on Sunday, which was quickly matched by Fugazi. Ponce chipped in an additional $5,000, boosting the total local reward to $25,000.
At a prayer vigil for the victims, Fugazi made her own appeal to the public via a Stocktonia reporter: “Call the hotline, go on to the website, but please let us know any information that you have.”
