On November 30, 2025, a birthday party in Stockton, California, was marred by gunfire, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to nineteen others, including children aged 9 and 12. The shooting occurred near the 300 block of South Center Street, where families had gathered for a celebration. Emergency responders provided aid, performing CPR on young victims amidst the chaos.

Authorities are investigating the incident, which they believe was a targeted attack, although the motive remains unclear. This shooting is part of a concerning trend in Stockton, where homicides have increased by 20% this year. Despite these statistics, California Governor Gavin Newsom has stated that crime is down statewide, attributing this to his administration's reforms. Critics argue that certain policies, including bail reforms and early releases for offenders, may contribute to a perception of increased lawlessness. The Stockton shooting follows a similar incident at a block party the previous month, which resulted in three deaths. The ongoing violence raises questions about the effectiveness of current crime prevention strategies and the socio-economic factors affecting community safety.

In a separate incident, a shooting involving two National Guard members occurred near the White House. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reported that the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had been "radicalized since he's been here in this country" after arriving from Afghanistan in September 2021 as part of Operation Allies Welcome. Lakanwal was granted asylum earlier this year under the Trump administration and had previously collaborated with the U.S. government, including the CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar.

The shooting resulted in the death of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and left Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, 24, hospitalized. The suspect was also shot by a National Guard member and is currently receiving medical treatment. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that Lakanwal faces murder charges. Noem criticized the vetting process for Lakanwal, claiming it was insufficient compared to measures implemented under the Trump administration. However, Samantha Vinograd, a former counterterrorism official, stated that there is no evidence linking the shooting to a failure in the vetting process, emphasizing that every Afghan refugee underwent a thorough vetting process before entering the U.S.

In response to the shooting, the White House has enacted several restrictive immigration policies, including a directive to rigorously reexamine green card cases for nationals from countries affected by a presidential proclamation that suspended immigration from 19 nations. The incidents highlight ongoing debates about community safety, the effectiveness of crime prevention strategies, and the complexities of immigration policies in the context of national security.