Four people have died after 14 people were shot at a family gathering in Stockton, in northern California.

The shooting took place at a child’s birthday party, Stockton’s Vice Mayor Jason Lee said in a Facebook post.

“I am in contact with staff and public safety officials to understand exactly what happened, and I will be pushing for answers,” he said.

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Sheiriff’s office spokeswoman Heather Brent said the victims included children and adults.

Early indications “suggest this may have been a targeted incident”, Brent told reporters at the scene.

The shooting occurred inside the banquet hall, which shares a parking lot with other businesses.

First responders close off a parking lot near the scene. Credit: Ethan Swope/AP

Authorities did not immediately provide information about the conditions of the victims.

Stockton is a city of 320,000, about 65km south of Sacramento.

“Families should be together instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved one, praying that they survive,” Mayor Christina Fugazzi said.

with AP

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