Days before the first anniversary of Amari Peterson’s murder, his mother accuses Padilla of ignoring her family’s pleas for support. Council candidate Tamica Small responds: “Compassion should never be selective.”
November 3, 2026 — On the eve of Election Day, Stockton Councilwoman Michele Padilla is facing public criticism from the mother of Amari Peterson, a child murdered in the November 29, 2025, mass shooting in North Stockton. The grieving mother alleges that Padilla never contacted her family and recently blocked her on Facebook after she repeatedly sought acknowledgment and answers.
The allegations have added a deeply personal dimension to Stockton’s District 1 election, where Padilla faces challenger Tamica Small, a retired probation officer with 22 years of experience and a mother of three.
With the first anniversary of the mass shooting approaching, Amari’s mother says her family continues to live with unanswered questions and the absence of meaningful support from the councilwoman representing the district where her son was killed.
“Not once have you reached out to me or my family,” she wrote on Facebook. “Not once have you acknowledged the pain our family continues to live with or answered the questions I’ve repeatedly asked.”
Mother alleges she was blocked after demanding answers
According to her social media statement, Amari’s mother had repeatedly attempted to contact Padilla through Facebook.
She expressed frustration after seeing the councilwoman publicly acknowledge a Halloween shooting in which nobody was injured, while allegedly failing to acknowledge her son’s murder or communicate with his family.
After questioning Padilla publicly, she says she discovered that the councilwoman had blocked her personal account and that the original Facebook post disappeared.
“Is my son’s life any less worthy of your attention because he was Black and Asian? Do our children matter less?” she asked.
Her allegations raise questions about accessibility, communication and how elected officials respond to constituents experiencing devastating loss. The account restrictions and circumstances surrounding the deleted post have not been independently verified.
“I am not asking for special treatment,” the mother continued. “I am asking for acknowledgment, and answers and support.”
Tamica Small responds: “Every child matters”
The controversy prompted a public response from Padilla’s election opponent, Tamica Small, who took to Facebook to express solidarity with Amari’s family and underscore the importance of compassion in public service.
“As a mother of three, I cannot begin to imagine the pain of losing a child to violence,” Small wrote. “No parent should ever have to bury their child, and no family should have to spend nearly a year searching for answers while feeling unheard, unsupported, and forgotten.”
Small, who spent 22 years working as a probation officer before retiring, reflected on her experience supporting families affected by violence.
“As a retired law enforcement officer, I have worked alongside and supported families who have experienced the unimaginable loss of a child,” she stated.
She also addressed the allegations surrounding Padilla’s apparent lack of communication.
“I am deeply disappointed by what appears to be a lack of acknowledgment and support for this grieving family,” Small wrote. “Regardless of politics, personalities, or circumstances, compassion should never be selective. Every child matters. Every life matters.”
Public safety takes center stage
Small has made public safety her top campaign priority, drawing on more than two decades of criminal-justice experience.
Her platform includes establishing a police substation in District 1, expanding community policing, strengthening law-enforcement partnerships and providing young people with opportunities intended to prevent violence.
As a mother of three and lifelong Stockton resident, Small has also emphasized the importance of protecting families and rebuilding trust between residents and local government.
In her Facebook response, she argued that public service requires more than appearances and public statements.
“It is about showing up, listening, demonstrating compassion, and being present for people during their most difficult moments.”
Nearly one year later, a family still demands justice
The November 29, 2025, mass shooting claimed four lives, including three children, and wounded 11 others. It remains among Stockton’s most devastating recent acts of gun violence.
Amari’s mother says that nearly a year later, her family is still waiting for arrests and answers.
Although the criminal investigation is the responsibility of law enforcement, her allegations raise a separate issue: whether grieving families can depend on their elected representatives for communication and support.
Small closed her statement with a direct message to Amari’s family.
“Your pain matters, Amari’s life matters, and his name deserves to be remembered. You deserve answers, accountability, and the support of your community.”
She concluded: “No family should ever have to fight to have their child’s life acknowledged.”
As Stockton voters head to the polls, the mother’s accusations remain unresolved. Padilla’s explanation for the alleged blocking and lack of communication has not been established.
For Amari’s mother, however, the central issue extends beyond an election.
“AMARI PETERSON deserves to be remembered,” she wrote. “His life mattered. And I refuse to let his name or what happened to him be forgotten.”
Nearly one year later, her demand remains the same: justice for Amari Peterson.