Amari Peterson, a 14-year-old from Modesto, has been identified as one of the children killed in the mass shooting at a Stockton birthday party over the weekend. The tragic incident took place Saturday at a banquet hall in California, leaving four people dead, including three minors.
The shooting happened on Nov. 29 at a banquet hall on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton.
“My Baby Was Innocent” — Mother of Amari Peterson Speaks Out
Amari’s mother, Kim Peterson, shared her heartbreak in an interview with the Stockton Record.
“My baby was innocent,” she said. “We were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Who would have known my baby wasn’t gonna come home with me?”
She described her son as a loving, active teen who excelled in sports and had big dreams for his future.
Who Was Amari Peterson?
According to the family’s GoFundMe page, Amari Peterson was “a bright, loved, and promising young soul” who enjoyed basketball and football. He was also planning for college and looking ahead to his future.
“Amari was a football player, a basketball player, a brother, son, and cousin,” the fundraiser states. “He was making plans and looking into colleges of choice. He was NOT involved in any gang activity. The only mistake this sweet boy made was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was simply being a kid at a kids’ party.”
His mother added: “He was good in everything he did. He played basketball, football. I’m just lost for words. Just pray for me, my family, his friends, everybody that came across him. My baby was loved.”
A GoFundMe has been launched to help the family with funeral expenses.
Investigation Ongoing as Suspect Remains at Large
As of Monday, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.
Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter or shooters.
“Crimestoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved. I am matching that with another $10,000, and with a $5,000 contribution from Councilwoman Mariela Ponce. The total bounty now stands at $25,000,” Fugazi said in a social media post.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.
