Two Other Victims of the Mass Shooting in Stockton Have Been Identified

Two young girls have been identified among the victims killed in Stockton, as officials update the number of those wounded, and a key eyewitness recalls the moment chaos broke out.

Authorities have confirmed the identities of two more victims killed in the Stockton horrific mass shooting that occurred during a child's birthday party on November 29, 2025.

Among the four people who tragically lost their lives: Journey Rose and Maya Lupian, both 8-year-old third-grade students with their whole futures ahead of them. As of Thursday, December 4, the number of those injured has risen to 13, bringing the total number of victims to 17.

Journey Rose Remembered by Family and School Community

Journey attended Commodore Stockton Skills School. Her family described her as curious and gentle, with interests in art, baking, crafting, and gymnastics. Her mother, Jackie Reotutar, is a special education teacher at Madison Elementary School.

"Journey was a smart girl who loved trivia and solving math games," Jackie wrote on the family’s fundraising page. "Journey was growing up beautifully and should have had a long life where she could learn and play as much as she pleased."

Journey is survived by her parents, her 18-year-old sister, and two brothers aged 15 and 10. Stockton Unified School District, where both Journey and her mother were part of the community, issued a public statement expressing condolences.

Maya Lupian Was Set to Turn Nine in December

Maya Lupian was a student at Aspire Apex Academy. Her family confirmed she would have celebrated her ninth birthday on December 13. According to her sister, Yesenia, Maya was the most outgoing child one could meet, known for her energy, kindness, and bright spirit.

"She loved to dance, sing, and draw," Yesenia wrote. "She was a purple belt in karate, and she loved being active." Maya's family includes her parents, two older brothers, two nieces, and many relatives and friends who adored her.

Eyewitness Describes Moment of Shooting

An eyewitness at the party, who was later taken into custody for an unrelated parole violation, described the moments when the shooting started.

"And like all the kids just fall — like the little girl fall, and then the little boy fall because they were right next to me [sic]," he said. Authorities confirmed that the man is not a suspect in the shooting.

The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation is ongoing. Witnesses described a gunman approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, wearing black pants.

Investigation Continues as Community Seeks Answers

Public Information Officer Heather Brent stated that while the shooting appears to have been targeted, all possibilities are being considered.

Media outlets and community groups have shared photos from the scene and are asking anyone with relevant information to contact authorities. As of now, no arrests have been made.

The Moment the Party Ended

As we previously reported, it was supposed to be a sweet, unforgettable afternoon, a gathering of 100 loved ones inside a cheerful banquet hall called Monkey Space, where family and friends came together to celebrate a little girl’s second birthday.

But in an instant, everything shattered. Patrice Williams, the birthday girl’s mother, broke her silence, describing the moment the unimaginable unfolded. Just as guests gathered to cut the cake, a burst of terrifying gunfire ripped through the room.

But in an instant, everything shattered.

Patrice Williams, the birthday girl's mother, broke her silence, describing the moment the unimaginable unfolded. Just as guests gathered to cut the cake, a burst of terrifying gunfire ripped through the room.

At first, no one understood what was happening. People instinctively dropped to the ground, while others were frozen in confusion and fear. Even Williams initially believed it had been balloons popping.

But it wasn't balloons. It was gunfire, and within moments, a celebration had turned into a disaster. According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, the casualties included an eight-year-old, a nine-year-old, a 14-year-old, and a 21-year-old.

"I just want to say I'm sorry to all the mothers out there that lost their kids at my birthday party," Williams told ABC 7 in a voice heavy with grief.

Among those injured were multiple members of her own family: her daughter's dad's niece and his nieces, her sister, her cousin, her son's friend, and three of her friends. One of them, the father of her friend's baby, was shot and killed.

And the horror continued long afterward. A nine-year-old was reported in good condition at Dignity Health–St. Joseph Medical Center by the afternoon of Sunday, November 30, but Sheriff Patrick Withrow confirmed that another victim remained in critical condition that night.

According to Withrow, the gunfire started indoors but spilled outside, accounting for the high number of wounded victims.

But in the chaos, Williams never saw the shooter. She still can't imagine who would carry out such a heartless attack at that event. "They deserve to be in jail. They deserve to go to hell," she said. "I'm sorry, but I just … it's not respectable. It's a kids' party."

Families Identify One Teenager and an Adult

Among the many families now drowning in grief, one has stepped forward to name the 14-year-old boy whose life was stolen in the Stockton tragedy.

His name was Amari Peterson, a vibrant, athletic teenager who adored football and basketball, and who, according to his loved ones, had no ties to danger or violence.

His family painted a fuller portrait of him through a GoFundMe campaign, set up to help cover the costs of his funeral. There, Peterson is remembered as "a bright, loved, and promising young soul whose life was taken far too soon by a senseless act of violence."

Peterson had been looking into universities, already shaping dreams for a future that was brutally stolen. His only mistake was being in the wrong place.

The fundraiser appeals to the community for support, asking for help for Patrick and Kim Peterson, grieving parents facing the unthinkable. As of now, $34,287 has been raised toward a goal of $55,000.

In a gut-wrenching conversation with the Los Angeles Times, Emmanuel Lopez recounted watching two relatives fall victim to the gunfire. His nine-year-old daughter was shot in the head, but miraculously survived. His brother, Susano Archuleta, was not so lucky.

A single bullet pierced Archuleta's neck, killing the 21-year-old on the spot.

"I'm just upset right now. My brother died in my arms," Lopez said, describing Archuleta as "full of life and energy."

Bullets Rip Through Nearby Home

As the gunfire raged outside Monkey Space, the violence spilled beyond the party walls, shaking nearby homes and endangering unsuspecting residents.

Brandon Hernandez, a Stockton local, was simply relaxing in his bedroom when three bullets tore through his walls, narrowly missing both him and his beloved dog, Rocky.

Terrified, Hernandez grabbed his girlfriend and his dog and ran to the back of the house, taking cover while the shooting continued for what he estimated was at least five minutes. Roughly ten bullets struck his place. "I was thinking I was going to die," he recalled.

A Rapper in the Crosshairs

Just hours after the bloodshed, a storm of online speculation erupted, suggesting that rapper MBnel may have been at the party, and even more chilling, that he allegedly could have been the intended target.

On December 1, his father, Junior Dongon, confirmed to The Post that his son had in fact been shot in the incident. His daughter-in-law was hit too.

Years earlier, MBnel had moved out of Stockton to live in Sacramento, fearing for his safety. The decision came after several violent incidents, including a terrifying shooting where his parents' home was sprayed with 22 bullets.

But that day, he returned. According to his father, MBnel had come to the party to meet a few fellow rappers, including the birthday girl's father. He wasn't planning to stay. He was only there to drop off a gift, and that's when the gunfire struck.

By some miracle, both MBnel and his wife survived and are in stable condition, but they are now in hiding. "My daughter-in-law was hit in the butt," the patriarch said. "We are worried. I'm worried about my wife, but I can't do anything about it."

The Hunt Is On

The tragedy may have ended in gunfire, but the pursuit of justice is far from over. The manhunt is still active, with no suspects in custody, and authorities believe this was no lone gunman.

Sheriff Withrow and others are convinced there were multiple shooters behind the targeted birthday party attack. According to Heather Brent, San Joaquin Sheriff Public Information Officer, the search has become their top priority.

Brent pledged that their department won't rest until justice is served. She confirmed that more than one suspect is being pursued, though she clarified that they're not calling this shooting "gang related" just yet.

Still, officials are well aware of online speculation and are actively investigating every possible lead to identify those responsible.

A few eyewitnesses managed to give a limited description of one gunman. He was said to be approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, wearing black pants, but beyond that, details remain scarce.

As of now, authorities do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public. But the stakes have escalated. The FBI Sacramento Field Office has joined forces with local agencies and is now offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved.

The bureau is urging anyone with photos and videos of the shooting to submit them online at www.fbi.gov/stocktonshooting. Any other information about the shooters, such as descriptions of getaway vehicles, or weapons involved, can use the tip line 209-946-0600.

Officials have promised the public: every tip will remain anonymous.