Stockton police are investigating a Halloween night shooting near Hepburn Circle and Chaplin Court, where officers found evidence of gunfire Saturday as families celebrated the holiday.
Officers responded to the area around 9:03 p.m. after receiving a report of a possible shooting, police Sgt. Chris Gilley told Stocktonia.
“Upon arrival, officers located evidence of a shooting but determined that no individuals or residences had been struck,” Gilley said. “The investigation remains ongoing.”
District 1 Councilmember Michele Padilla, who represents the neighborhood where the shooting occurred, said in a Facebook statement that she had spoken with Police Chief Stanley McFadden about the incident.
According to Padilla, about 100 people had gathered at a house party in the area when people in separate vehicles apparently exchanged gunfire. Officers recovered shell casings at the scene, but investigators had not identified any victims or received reports of people arriving at hospitals with gunshot wounds, she said.
Padilla also said gunfire did not strike any homes or vehicles.
Although police reported no injuries, Padilla said the shooting frightened nearby families, including children who were trick-or-treating.
“Our neighbors heard gunfire on their street. Children who were out trick-or-treating were rushed inside. Parents checked their kids for wounds,” Padilla wrote. “That fear is real, and it does not leave when the police tape comes down.”
Padilla condemned the shooting, saying Stockton residents should be able to celebrate holidays without fearing for their safety.
“This is not acceptable anywhere in Stockton,” she wrote. “We should be able to celebrate a holiday on our own streets without the carelessness and recklessness of a few people putting an entire neighborhood in danger.”
Padilla said she asked McFadden to keep her and the community informed as detectives continue investigating.
Anyone with information about the shooting, including surveillance or doorbell camera footage from the area, can contact the Stockton Police Department at 209-937-8377 or Stockton Crime Stoppers at 209-946-0600. Tipsters can remain anonymous.