Local and state lawmakers are calling for tangible action and deeper community investment after the mass shooting in Stockton reignited demands for reform in a city long grappling with chronic gun violence. Four people, three children, and one adult were killed, and 11 others were wounded in a shooting at a child’s birthday party in Stockton, California, on Saturday evening. The attack occurred shortly before 6 p.m. at a banquet hall near Lucile Avenue. The victims who died were ages 8, 9, 14, and 21, and at least one of the surviving victims remained in critical condition, authorities said.
Former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, who entered public service after his cousin was killed in their hometown, said symbolic responses are insufficient.
"Prayers alone are not going to make these streets safe," Tubbs said. "Vigils, marches, we've done that before. We know what to do. It just requires hard work."
State Sen. Jerry McNerney, a Democrat representing the Stockton area, noted that the city's persistent violence has contributed to a reputation that "might scare people."
Tubbs argued that leaders must confront the underlying drivers of crime, poverty, unstable housing, trauma, and lack of opportunity, instead of reacting only after violence occurs. Although he is currently running for lieutenant governor in 2026, he addressed the issue strictly in the context of his tenure as mayor.
“So, of course, we have to go after the bad guys,” he said. “But that’s a symptom. Any statewide official in California has to be focused on ending poverty… and making investments in communities.”
He highlighted previous initiatives in which city, country and federal agencies collaborated with community groups to intervene directly with 80 individuals identified as most likely to engage in gun violence. All of them, he said, were dealing with housing instability, hunger and past interactions with law enforcement.
“It took strategy,” Tubbs said. “It took alignment between city government, county government, district attorney’s office, U.S. attorney’s office, community groups, churches.”
Newly appointed Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón said strengthening the state’s social safety net must remain a priority.
“We know we want communities to be healthy, we know we want people to have housing,” she said, noting that California already requires universal background checks and a mandatory 10-day waiting period for firearm purchases. Still, she emphasized that the state cannot curb gun violence on its own.
“California cannot do this without the help of other states and rally this country to pass meaningful gun reform,” Limón said.
She added that lawmakers will reassess state statutes once more information emerges about the shooting’s motive.
“We’ll be reviewing our existing laws. We’re always looking to see if there are loopholes in our laws that could have prevented this,” Limón said, adding that the state will work closely with Stockton’s representative, Sen. Jerry McNerney.
McNerney spoke at Sunday's vigil, urging residents to counter violence with compassion. When asked by ABC10 what concrete steps look like beyond hopeful words, he pointed to a mix of safety and social services.
“To make sure that we have enough public safety,” he said. “And then another, to make sure we have the counseling services and services for homeless people, people who are in need. And then, education. Make sure that we’re providing education and jobs.”
He added that stable employment and economic growth remain central to reducing violence.
“(To create) an opportunity for investors to invest in our community, to invest in our state,” he said. “A targeted shooting like that, people have a specific reason to do that. I don’t understand or condone those motives.”
McNerney said he intends to continue working with fellow California legislators, but made clear whose involvement is not needed.
"Because that can cause more problems. We don't need that," he said when asked about potential input from President Donald Trump. "What we need is constructive engagement at all levels of government, and again, I think I saw that today."
