Nationwide — Amari Peterson, a 14-year-old African American boy from Stockton, California, recently died during a birthday party shooting. The celebration quickly turned tragic when gunfire broke out, leaving multiple victims and a shaken community.
Amari attended the gathering with his family to celebrate a two-year-old’s birthday. His father, Patrick Peterson, said the night was meant to be simple and joyful until a gunman walked inside and opened fire. Four people were killed, and 11 others were injured.
Patrick said he heard the first shots before seeing the shooter move through the room. As guests ran for safety, he saw Amari on the floor, trying to crawl toward him. Patrick rushed to help but found that his son had been shot above the heart.
The memory follows him every time he tries to rest. He recalled lying over Amari as the boy struggled to breathe. His daughter was also grazed during the chaos but survived. Patrick said no parent should ever experience what he witnessed.
“All I can see is my son crawling on the ground and me trying to resuscitate him,” Peterson told 11Alive. “It’s just something that a father should never have to go through.”
Amari’s family remembers him as a gentle kid who loved sports and had a strong bond with those around him. He enjoyed football, basketball, and sometimes track. Patrick said his son never missed a day telling him he loved him.
Investigators have not identified a motive, and the case remains open.