Global music star Burna Boy is stepping in to support grieving families in Stockton, California, announcing he will cover the funeral expenses for all four young victims of the recent mass shooting that has shocked communities across the United States.
In a statement released Monday, the Grammy-winning artist said he was devastated after learning about the tragedy.
“When I heard about the children murdered in Stockton, my heart broke,” Burna Boy said. “After hearing the story on The Breakfast Club, I reached out to Wack 100 and connected with Jason Lee because 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.”
According to the statement, the 34-year-old star was especially moved by the story of Amari Peterson, a 14-year-old student-athlete with a 3.8 GPA whose promising life was cut short.
ALSO READ: Serena Williams Quashes Comeback Rumors: ‘I’m NOT Coming Back’
Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee, who has been privately meeting with the victims’ families, said Burna Boy’s action reflects global compassion. “Burna Boy’s generosity is an example of how people around the world want to help, even when they’ve never met the families impacted,” he said.
The development comes as community leaders continue urging the suspects to turn themselves in. Speaking at a candlelight vigil on Sunday (Nov. 30), Lee condemned the violence in emotional remarks.
“It’s never been gangsta to kill kids. Never,” the Hollywood Unlocked founder said. “You went into a birthday party and shot people’s children… Parents brought their children out and they left with medical examiners. That is not human.”
Lee, who lost his own brother, Rodney Townsend, to gun violence in Stockton in 1997, also appealed to the community to avoid retaliatory violence.
“When my brother got murdered, I thought about revenge too,” he said. “It’s human to want to hurt people who hurt people you love. But I had a choice to make, and I hope people in our community make the right choice and contact law enforcement.”
The shooting took place on Saturday (Nov. 29) inside a crowded banquet hall in northern Stockton, where 100 to 150 people were celebrating a child’s birthday. Four people — including three children — were killed and 11 others injured.
Among the victims identified are 8-year-old Maya Lupian, 14-year-old Amari Peterson, and 21-year-old Susano Archuleta.
Early indications suggest the gunfire may have been a “targeted incident,” according to Heather Brent, spokesperson for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Patrick Withrow said investigators are confident the attack was not random, though they have not confirmed whether it was gang-related.
Authorities have offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest as the investigation remains “very active and ongoing.”
