Nigerian star Burna Boy offers financial support for families of four victims, including three children, killed in a deadly Stockton birthday party shooting.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy has pledged to cover funeral expenses for the young victims of a mass shooting that shocked Stockton, California, at the end of November. The incident claimed four lives, including three children, and left 11 others injured.
The shooting occurred on Saturday November 29, 2025, at Monkey Space banquet hall on Lucile Avenue, where families had gathered to celebrate a 2-year-old’s birthday. Authorities reported that the victims included children aged 8, 9, and 14, as well as a 21-year-old adult. Eleven attendees sustained gunshot injuries during the chaotic attack.
Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, said he was moved to act after hearing the story on the radio show The Breakfast Club. Through entertainment executive Wack 100, the artist connected with Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee to provide direct support to the bereaved families.
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“When I heard about the children murdered in Stockton, my heart broke,” Burna Boy said in a statement. “No family should ever face this kind of pain alone. I wanted to do whatever I could to support these parents as they begin the long process of healing.”
The victims’ families have begun grappling with the sudden loss. Stockton Unified School District confirmed that the 8-year-old victim was a student in the district, and the child’s mother also works for the school system. The 14-year-old, identified as Amari Peterson from Modesto, was attending the party with his family but did not return home. “We were just at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Peterson’s mother said, reflecting on the tragic loss of her son, a high-achieving student and athlete.
Vice Mayor Lee, who has previously experienced violence firsthand in Stockton, praised Burna Boy’s support and called for broader community healing. “Our city is resilient, but decades of violent crime leave lasting trauma,” Lee said. “It is our duty to build partnerships, seek funding, and ensure that communities impacted by violence have the support and resources necessary to live a better quality of life.”
Lee emphasized accountability and the importance of addressing the underlying causes of violence. “We must recommit ourselves to breaking cycles of violence with real resources, real intervention, and real unity,” he said.
The shooting has reignited conversations about community safety and the urgent need for support systems for families affected by gun violence in Stockton, with Burna Boy’s gesture highlighting the role of international figures in local tragedies.