Community and faith leaders gathered in Stockton today to urge elected officials to take action following last month’s shooting that killed four people and injured 13.
Three children were killed, including 14-year-old Amari Peterson. His father, Patrick Peterson, said he’s struggling to process the loss.
“I just want the world to know that I love my son,” Peterson said during a press conference in Stockton’s council chambers. “We all love my son and he didn’t deserve this.”
Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee said the shooting underscores the impacts of how the city and state budget their public safety dollars.
“When I look at funding, we gave $190 million to the police department, which is essential because we need to have that for our public safety officers,” Lee said. “But we put $2 million in prevention services. What is that going to do when we know the city has had the challenges that we are talking about today?”
The city’s Advance Peace Program, which focused on reducing gun violence, closed earlier this year due to federal budget cuts. Lee said the council didn’t act.
Nuri Muhammad was the program director for Stockton’s Advance Peace.
“It’s up to lawmakers to look at grassroots organizations that are in operation and see if they can ensure that they have the necessary funding to continue to do what they’re doing and even expand what they do, especially in light of the nationwide cuts,” Muhammad said.
Hilliard Church Reverend William DeArmond called on leaders to act to prevent future shootings.
“The painful truth is this; it could have been any of us,” DeArmond said. “It could have been your child. That is the heartbreaking reality we face in Stockton today.”
The state’s victim compensation board is offering up to $70,000 to each affected family to help cover expenses, including medical bills, funeral expenses and mental-health care.
Community leaders called on the public to provide any information about the shooters, who have yet to be identified – no arrests have been made.
Also on Tuesday, San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow updated county supervisors about the investigation into the shooting. Withrow told the board they've now determined there were at least five weapons used that night inside the banquet hall that was hosting a child's birthday party.
“We have over 50 casings that were on the ground that our federal partners at ATF are processing for us,” the sheriff said. “We can't do it without our federal and state partners. We've been blessed. They were there the night of the incident and there with us right now 24/7.”
Investigators have described the shooting as a targeted incident, though they haven't said who the intended target or targets were. Other officials have called it a gang shooting, although Withrow has said it's too early to make that determination.
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