Heartbroken, furious, and disappointed: that’s the reality Stockton is waking up to after four young people were killed and 11 others were wounded at a birthday party over the weekend. A celebration meant for joy turned into a nightmare, leaving an entire community shaken and struggling to process the level of pain left behind.
As we previously covered, the violence erupted inside a crowded banquet hall where more than 100 people gathered on Saturday night. Detectives believe the shooting spilled outside and that multiple shooters may have been involved. When the chaos finally stopped, four lives were gone. The ages are still hard to wrap your mind around: 8, 9, 14, and 21.
While the community struggles to process the trauma, Vice Mayor Jason Lee has been on the ground nonstop, pushing for unity, accountability, and real healing. After Sunday’s vigil, he shared updates on his conversations with the impacted families and the wave of unexpected support rising behind them.
Lee met privately with several parents and relatives of the victims, doing what no parent should ever need from an elected official: receiving condolences for children taken too soon. One conversation, he says, was with the mother of Amari, a standout student-athlete with a 3.8 GPA and a strong faith that clearly left a mark on everyone who knew him.
After The Breakfast Club shared the heartbreaking story, it landed in front of entertainment executive Wack 100, who wasted no time connecting Vice Mayor Lee with global superstar Burna Boy. The Grammy-winning artist was so moved by the tragedy he offered to cover the funeral costs for all the young victims.
In a statement from Burna Boy, he said:
“When I heard about the children murdered in Stockton, my heart broke. After hearing the story on The Breakfast Club, I reached out to Wack 100 and connected with Jason Lee because no family should ever face this kind of pain alone. I wanted to do whatever I could to support these parents as they begin the long process of healing.”
Vice Mayor Lee echoed the urgency and emotion so many residents voiced at Sunday’s vigil. He continued:
“I want to echo the powerful sentiments shared by our community leaders at Sunday’s vigil. This is a moment for unity and focused leadership—to guide our community through this crisis, to demand accountability and bring those responsible to justice, and to stay resilient in our fight to end senseless gun violence.”
And he didn’t stop there. Lee uplifted the work of public safety and prosecutorial leadership, making clear that everyone responsible for this massacre must face justice:
“I remain committed to supporting our public safety officers—Sheriff Patrick Withrow, Chief Stanley McFadden, and every officer doing the hard work every day to keep our community safer. I also want to reaffirm my full support for District Attorney Ron Freitas and his unwavering commitment to hold those responsible accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Their collective leadership in this moment is critical, and I stand firmly behind their efforts to deliver justice for these families.”
Lee also thanked Burna Boy directly, calling his gesture a reminder of how far compassion can reach when people step up.
“I want to thank Burna Boy for his support of families and children he has never met but still felt moved to help. Let his generosity serve as an example: so many people want to help but may not know how—and our community needs that support now more than ever.”
From there, the Vice Mayor made it clear that this tragedy wasn’t only a moment for mourning, but a mirror forcing leaders to confront the conditions that allow violence like this to spread.
“As elected officials, we have a responsibility to always prioritize the resources and opportunities we can secure and create for young people and their families. This trauma is not going to resolve itself. It is our duty to build public–private partnerships, seek grant funding, and work across every level of government to ensure that communities impacted by violence—and those who feel they have no options but to turn to crime—have the support and resources necessary to live a better quality of life.”
“This is not just another headline. Four lives were stolen, eleven others were wounded, families were changed forever, and our community cannot remain numb to this level of tragedy. We need accountability for those responsible, and we must recommit ourselves to breaking cycles of violence with real resources, real intervention, and real unity.”
That part.
Sunday’s vigil was a heavy but necessary space. Hundreds of residents gathered with candles, prayers, and the shared weight of grief. It wasn’t just mourning. It was a call to action.
Vice Mayor Lee says he’ll continue working closely with community partners, law enforcement officers, and the families themselves to understand their needs and chart a path forward.
Stockton has a long road ahead. But in the middle of darkness, compassion is rising. And with Lee, Leadership is stepping up.