Stockton City Council faced a packed chamber Tuesday night as residents demanded action in the wake of the mass shooting that killed four people on Nov. 29.
Public comment dominated the meeting, with the chamber filled to capacity and many residents watching the livestream from the lobby. Speaker after speaker pressed city leaders to do more to curb violence.
“Noel Valdivia told the council that one of the young victims was his friend’s daughter. ‘I’ve been here before on the same issues,’ he said. ‘What are we doing about it? What have we done? Nothing.’”
Lilliana Udang urged the council to focus on data-driven strategies. “Focused deterrence works,” she said. “You have to lead and ask.”
Udang, who is raising her 7-year-old son in Stockton, said she struggles with whether to shield him from the violence or prepare him for it. Two of the victims were just one year older than her child.
Delta Skywatchers Initiative organizer Alex Lima told the council the community needs trauma-informed solutions, not political positioning. “Our community is in shambles,” he said. “We need healing.”
Lifelong resident Debra Ellison, who is a gun violence survivor and friends with one victim’s family, called for funding for youth programs and urged community members to speak up. “At this point, authorities are doing all they can,” she said.
Earlier Tuesday, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office announced investigators recovered about 50 bullet casings from the scene and are seeking multiple suspects wearing dark clothing.
Councilmember Mariela Ponce urged unity, saying, “Violence in this city needs to stop.” Councilmember Mario Enríquez echoed the call, asking the council to revisit its vision and address ongoing infighting.
Mayor Christina Fugazi cited the Stockton Marshall Plan on crime as the city’s blueprint, and Vice Mayor Jason Lee held up photos of each victim as he spoke about the need to invest in youth. He also read a police report detailing the disproportionate impact of homicides on children of color.
Earlier in the day, Lee joined Patrick Peterson, the father of 14-year-old victim Amari Peterson, for a press conference.
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation for Kids, announced a three-year intervention program in Stockton. The initiative will focus on racial disparities in violence, trauma support, and long-term youth programs.
“Stockton’s children deserve to grow up without the constant fear of gun violence,” founder Daniel Chapin said. “Our intervention is a long-term commitment to build programs that empower youth and create a culture of peace throughout the city.”
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