A candlelight prayer vigil will be held for Amari Peterson at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at Whitmore Park in Ceres.
Peterson, a former youth football player with the Ceres Jr. Bulldogs, tragically passed away at the age of 14 this past weekend.
Peterson, and two other children, ages 8 and 9, along with a 21-year-old male lost their lives during a mass shooting at a child's birthday party on Nov. 29 at a Stockton banquet hall.
Eleven other people were wounded.
"We want Amari's family to know we and the community care for them," said Joe Estrada, president of the Ceres Jr. Bulldogs Youth Football & Cheer Organization. "We also think about the other children that passed away. It's a tragic loss. It's not fair."
Peterson's violent death has left family members, former teammates and coaches, and friends in mourning.
Amari's parents, Patrick and Kim, were interviewed by local media outlets earlier this week.
"We were planning for where he was going to go to high school; now we're planning his funeral," mother Kimberly Panganouvong told KTVU-TV.
“My son was the perfect kid," father Patrick told KCRA. "He was the perfect son."
Estrada and his wife Kimberly learned of Peterson's passing via a phone call in the morning on Nov. 30.
"We found out Sunday through one of our coaches," Joe Estrada said. "It was hard to believe. There were a lot of tears. It hurts."
Godmother/aunt Aresha Mosley established a GoFundMe account to help Amari's family cover the cost of funeral arrangements.
The page can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-amaris-family-through-this-tragedy
A total of $89,788 had been raised as of Friday evening.
"Amari was a football player, a basketball player, a brother, son, and cousin," Mosley stated on the GoFundMe page. "He was making plans and looking into colleges (of) choice. He was NOT involved in any gang activity. The only mistake this sweet boy made was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was simply being a kid at a kids’ party."
"Right now, Amari’s parents and loved ones need support, strength, and love — as a community and as human beings," she added. "If you are able, please consider donating. If not, a simple share goes a long way. Every dollar, prayer, and repost truly makes a difference."
Peterson was an eighth-grade student at Prescott Jr. High.
He had a grade-point average of 3.8 according to Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee.
Peterson was a standout guard in the Central Valley Hornets Basketball League.
He played youth football for the Jr. Bulldogs for several seasons with his last year being in 2024.
He also suited up for the Central Saints.
Peterson contributed at running back and receiver on offense.
He got his nickname "Ferrari" because he could get from point A to B in a flash.
"He was so fast," Estrada said. "He loved sports. He never had a bad attitude. He was very respectful. He was humble. He was well-liked."
The Stockton Police Department and San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office have yet to arrest any suspects for the deadly shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Stockton Crime Stoppers at 209-946-0600.
"To the families grieving the loss of their loved ones we are with you," Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden stated in a Dec. 1 press release. "We will not rest until those responsible are found and held accountable. Your community stands behind you, and so do we."
