Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi is pleading for help from “the full power of the federal government” in the wake of Saturday night’s mass shooting — at odds with other local officials who have contradicted her statements and question the need for federal aid.
Her plea runs counter to an assessment from the county Sheriff’s Office — the lead agency on the mass shooting, which happened on county land in an unincorporated area of north Stockton — and has drawn skepticism from some city colleagues, who say they have doubts about the benefits of an influx of federal power.
But Fugazi has said the city is ready with “open arms” for help from federal officials.
On Wednesday, Fugazi reiterated her calls for a federal influx, even as she walked back her earlier claim that the crime was gang-related.
“My main job as mayor is to lead the city through this tragedy,” she said in an interview with Stocktonia. “I will take help from the county … I will take help from the governor, I will take help from the federal government.”
“I will take assistance from anyone, anyhow anyway to make our city safe,” she said.
She modified her earlier insistence that the mass shooting was gang-related. Fugazi made that statement to broadcast outlets this week, but the Sheriff’s Office continues to say it has not confirmed that assessment.
“I’m not saying yes or no,” Fugazi told Stocktonia. “It is not up to me to determine whether or not it was gang-related.”
Fugazi has said the city believes Stockton has 5,000 gang members and 100 active gangs. She told Stocktonia she drew that number from an earlier conversation with the police chief, during a May 2025 presentation to federal agencies in Washington — a presentation she said informed her plea for aid.
In a media interview and statements to CBS Sacramento earlier this week, Fugazi called for an anti-crime program with help from the Department of Justice as well as 10 other federal agencies.
“We need more,” Fugazi told CBS Sacramento. “We want to be their pilot site for the United States of America. Come to Stockton. We’re here — ready, with our arms open for you to come into our city.”
The Stockton Police Department did not immediately respond to an inquiry about the gang statistics Fugazi cited.
The Sheriff’s Office has not yet confirmed many details about the mass shooting, where four people were killed and 13 wounded during a 2-year-old’s birthday party, including a possible motive or the types of weapons used. Investigators have not released suspect details as of Thursday morning.
“We’re not relying on assumptions and opinions that are posted on social media,” sheriff’s spokesperson Heather Brent said earlier this week about claims of a gang connection. “Until we have 100% factual information that this was gang violence, we’re not going to say that.”
Brent said federal agencies are already involved, including the DOJ. Immediately after the shooting, authorities had said the FBI was assisting on the case.
“What she should’ve been doing is contacting the lead agency who is investigating this and asking for specific information,” Brent said of Fugazi’s statements. “But she didn’t do that.”
Mayor asks for feds, but not National Guard
In an additional statement to reporters, Fugazi proposed an anti-crime program with calls to the 11 federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Transportation.
“I am calling on the full power of the federal government not only to stop crime but also to give our community the tools to prevent crime before it starts,” Fugazi said in her statement.
When asked by CBS whether federal help extended to calling in the National Guard, Fugazi said she doesn’t believe troops “could necessarily do what we need to be done.”
“This is generational,” Fugazi said, alluding to Stockton violence. “The National Guard comes in, they have one task in mind, and they do that.
“I don’t know exactly what that would mean for our city, but I don’t want what Mayor (Karen) Bass had in L.A.,” Fugazi continued. “No, I don’t want that to happen here in Stockton.”
Brent said Fugazi has since reached out to Sheriff Patrick Withrow about the investigation.
The White House did not respond to an inquiry from Stocktonia on Tuesday about whether it had received Fugazi’s request, and whether any federal agencies planned to respond with the resources she described.
Stockton has recorded 34 homicides so far this year, compared with 46 to this time last year, according to the city’s police department. Eighty-six non-fatal shootings were reported this year. By this time in 2024, it was 113. Those statistics would not include Saturday’s shooting, which was outside city limits.
On the house floor Wednesday, Rep. Josh Harder dedicated time to the shooting’s four victims — Maya Lupian, Journey Rose Guerrero, Amari Peterson and Susano Archuleta. In a statement, Harder said he was “devastated” at the news of the attack.
“This was supposed to be a moment of celebration, and instead it became a nightmare that has rocked our community to its core,” Harder said.
Doubts about call for help
Vice Mayor Jason Lee said the rest of the Stockton City Council was unaware of Fugazi’s request for federal aid. Councilmembers Michele Padilla and Michael Blower said the same in comments to Stocktonia.
Lee said that, while he was open to support and resources, Fugazi’s ask for federal help could be misinterpreted.
“Words matter,” Lee said in a phone interview. “The help that could be offered could be harmful to our community.”
Lee said he plans to raise his concerns during the upcoming council meeting next Tuesday, reiterating a focus to prioritize the lives of Stockton’s youth, “not just when the news cameras are rolling.”
“At some point, the council has to understand its responsibility in the chaos,” Lee said.
David Sengthay, a member of Stockton Democrats Together, said Fugazi’s imprecise request for federal help could open Stockton up to President Donald Trump’s “hostile administration that has deployed military troops for ‘out of control’ crime.”
“It’s dangerous. It’s irresponsible and is a disservice to her,” Sengthay said. “Our leaders need to do better.”
Stocktonia staff writers Cassie Dickman, Scott Linesburgh and Josh Susong contributed to this report.
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