Journey Rose Reotutar Guerrero, an 8-year-old female of Guamanian heritage, was tragically killed on the evening of November 29, 2025, while attending a birthday party in San Joaquin County, California. The incident occurred at the Monkey Space event venue located on Lucile Avenue, just outside the city limits of Stockton. Journey was one of many guests gathered to celebrate a 2-year-old's birthday when gunfire erupted shortly before 6:00 p.m., just as the cake was about to be cut.
The shooting, which authorities described as a targeted attack, claimed the lives of four people and left thirteen others injured.
Investigators believe there were multiple shooters involved in the attack, with at least 50 shots fired from five different weapons. Witnesses reported seeing a masked gunman open fire, and reports suggest the violence may have been directed at a local rapper known as MBNel, who was in attendance. A father of one of the victims stated his son was approaching the musician when the shooting began. Alongside Journey, the deceased victims were identified as her cousin Maya Lupian, also 8 years old, 14-year-old Amari Peterson, and 21-year-old Susano Archuleta. Authorities noted that the attack began inside the venue and continued outside, creating a chaotic scene where family members attempted to shield children from the bullets.
As of early December 2025, no arrests had been made in connection with the mass shooting. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office has not identified any specific suspects by name but indicated the investigation is ongoing and complex due to the number of attendees and the nature of the crime. The incident has been characterized by officials as a targeted strike rather than a random act of violence, though many of the victims, including the children, were innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
Journey was remembered by her family and community as a bright and kind third-grader at Commodore Stockton Skills School who loved baking, arts and crafts, and gymnastics. Her mother described her as a smart girl who enjoyed trivia and solving math games, with aspirations of becoming a cheerleader in high school and eventually a physician. She was known for her "girly" fashion sense and her close bond with her cousin Maya, with whom she shared many interests. The loss deeply affected the Stockton community, with the local school district deploying crisis teams to support grieving students and staff.
