(FOX40.COM) — A community of broken hearts gathered along Thornton Road in Stockton on Sunday afternoon.
Red roses, bright candles and sunken faces united for a vigil — grieving the loss of four young lives. An additional 11 people were hurt after a shooting broke out at a child’s birthday party just before 6 p.m. Saturday.
One could feel the grief rippling across the vigil grounds, but there was also an undertone of determination as community members called for an end to violence.
“California is grieving for its lost children,” California State Senator Jerry McNerney said in a one-on-one interview following the event.
Attendees told FOX40 that the loss of any life is always devastating. However, many specifically commented on the ages of the victims and the fact that it occurred at a child’s celebration. Investigators confirmed the ages of the four people killed were 8, 9, 14 and 21.
“To imagine an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old not being able… to just be frozen at 8 years old, this is just…it is heartbreaking,” Richard Stoeckl told FOX40. The local man said he was awake past 2 a.m. Saturday night, organizing this event.
Stoeckl explained how he felt called to create a place where the community can come together and lean on one another amid the wake of this tragedy.
“These are children that won’t be able to experience Christmas coming up,” Stoeckl said.
According to local clergy members, in the Christian faith, this Sunday represented the first day of Advent. They said this day of hope is now a time to grieve, but also a time to love one another and help put the city back together.
“No more fear, but send your peace, God, through the streets of our very beloved city,” one speaker called out in prayer. “Send your peace as we seek to seek this piece of this city, a very beloved city, we love our city. We love our city.”
Attendees lifted up the victims’ memories and let out a call to action.
“Let me see by the show of hands who’s willing to do something different,” a speaker cried out, then scanned the area.
FOX40 saw that every visible hand among the massive crowd went up, signifying a desire to play a part in positive change.
“The mayor, the city council members who are here bring us together, we need you,” a speaker pleaded. “We need your leadership.”
Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi confirmed the attack is believed to be gang-related.
FOX40 also spoke with Leon Scoggins, a pastor with Life City Church.
“[When you know something, say something] it is not snitching,” Scoggins said. “When children are being killed. It is not snitching when violence is happening in our city.”
While organizers told FOX40 that heartbreak fueled the creation of Sunday’s event, neighbors urged people to turn those feelings of vengeance and anger into compassion, outreach and love. They asked everyone to commit to peace in the city of Stockton.
“Work starts now,” Assemblywoman Rhodesia Ransom said. “The healing starts now and this is not who this community is and we cannot let this be the end of our story.”
Authorities have not confirmed any arrests in connection with this crime. They said they will not be releasing the victims’ identities at this time, nor have they released information surrounding potential suspects. However, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said the attack appeared to be targeted.