Youth Peace and Justice Foundation claims 21-day gang ceasefire in Stockton after mass shooting
A national group focused on protecting children from gun violence said it has helped broker a 21-day gang ceasefire in Stockton, two weeks after a mass shooting at a child’s birthday party left four people dead and 13 others injured.The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation (YPJF) said the truce followed a late-night meeting Friday that included representatives from at least four gangs. The group describes the agreement as a “conditional epiphany truce.”KCRA 3 first learned about the planned meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, when YPJF said four rival gangs had agreed to attend and asked for a member of the local clergy and a community leader to be present.Stockton police have said the city has about 86 gangs with an estimated 2,700 members.KCRA 3 requested an interview ahead of the meeting, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12 at 9 p.m. A spokesperson replied that media would not be allowed for security reasons and declined interviews."The Foundation will release a formal statement or press release immediately following the conclusion of the meeting tomorrow (December 12th), at which time all key figures will be available to answer questions about the outcome," Jennifer West said in an email. Saturday morning, YPJF sent a press release announcing the 21-day truce and its conditions, stating participating gangs would pause violence to save lives and restore order.YPJF founder Daniel Chaplin said in part: “The ball is no longer in our court; it is squarely in the City’s. We secured the ceasefire, but we are now in a ‘wait and see’ period. If Stockton's political leadership fails to match the moral courage of these (violence) drivers with institutional commitment by January 15th, they will bear the moral responsibility for any violence that resumes.”Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi said she was not invited to the meeting and did not have enough information to comment.Both Stockton Police and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they were not told the meeting was happening. YPJF said excluding law enforcement was necessary for participant safety. KCRA 3 again requested an interview with the foundation on Saturday afternoon. Just before 6 p.m., YPJF said it would hold interview requests until Monday and planned a Zoom press conference. By 9 p.m., the foundation canceled the press conference, citing the need to secure political commitment from Stockton city leadership.KCRA 3 has not been able to ask questions directly with YPJF about the meeting or the ceasefire claim.
