Four people have been killed and 10 more have been injured in a "targeted" mass shooting at a child's birthday party in California.
A total of 14 people were shot in the attack, police said, and have urged the public to avoid the area.
Police spokeswoman Heather Brent said the victims' ages ranged from adults to children - while officials had earlier said multiple people were taken to hospital.
But Ms Brent would not confirm the exact details of the event, only calling it a "family gathering".
The suspect behind the mass attack is still on the loose.
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Detectives are working to identify a possible motive, and no arrests have yet been made.
"Tragedy of this nature is unthinkable and it absolutely breaks our hearts to have loss of life and to have loss of life to children," said San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas.
Footage shared online shows a huge emergency response near a Dairy Queen fast food restaurant in Stockton, in the state's north.
In it, police can be seen taping off the area - with more videos showing what appears to be paramedics giving CPR to victims.
'Tragedy of this nature is unthinkable,' San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas said
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PICTURED: A police officer works at the scene after several people were shot at a family gathering in Stockton
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Officers later confirmed the shooting broke out just before 6pm local time (2am GMT) inside a banquet hall on Lucile Avenue, Stockton.
California Governor Newsom has been briefed on the incident, his press office and is "monitoring this evolving situation", his press office said.
He spoke to Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi, who visited the scene.
Ms Fugazi later said: "Our first responders acted quickly, securing multiple scenes and providing immediate medical aid. Their professionalism reflects the very best of our city.
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Police have cordoned off the area after the horror attack
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"As Mayor, I am ensuring every necessary resource is available and that our city supports this effort at every level. Right now, our focus must remain on the victims, their families, and the safety of the community."
The city's Vice Mayor, Jason Lee, confirmed a "mass shooting at a child's birthday party" had happened.
"Violence touched my life as a young person, and seeing our own children, parents, and neighbors go through this shakes me deeply," he said.
Social media footage showed legions of paramedics and police at the scene
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"Stockton is my home. These are our families. This is our community.
"Our community deserves to know the truth, and the families impacted deserve justice and every resource available to support them."
Mr Lee went on: "An ice cream shop should never be a place where families fear for their lives."
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