Grammy Award winner Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has pledged to cover the funeral expenses of the four victims killed in a tragic mass shooting at a children’s birthday party in Stockton, California.
The heartbreaking incident occurred on Saturday, November 29, at Monkey Space, a banquet hall in unincorporated San Joaquin County, where a celebration turned deadly.
Authorities confirmed that the victims aged 8, 13, 14, and 21, were fatally shot after unknown gunmen opened fire, while 11 others sustained injuries.
Investigators believe the attack was targeted, although no arrests have been made so far.
Speaking in a statement to local newspaper The Stockton Record, Burna Boy said he was deeply shaken by the tragedy when he first learned of it.
The Grammy-winning artiste disclosed that he heard about the incident while listening to The Breakfast Club radio show.
He stated:
“When I heard about the children murdered in Stockton, my heart broke. 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 singer swiftly reached out to U.S. music executive Wack 100, who connected him with Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee, enabling him to directly contact the affected families.
One of the victims, 14-year-old Amari Peterson, was described as a lively teenager with remarkable talent in football and basketball. According to a GoFundMe page set up for his family, he had already begun preparing for college and was widely known for his energy and ambition.
Deeply touched by Amari’s story and the magnitude of the loss, Burna Boy offered to fully cover the funeral expenses of all four victims.
Vice Mayor Jason Lee expressed appreciation for the artiste’s support, praising him for helping families he had never met and describing the gesture as a powerful reminder of shared humanity beyond borders.
Lee added that during moments of national tragedy, help from unexpected sources sends a strong message of unity and hope.
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Burna Boy’s compassionate act follows closely on the heels of a viral incident in Colorado, where he halted a performance to address audience members who seemed to be asleep, an episode that drew mixed reactions.
Against that backdrop, this humanitarian gesture has further highlighted a different side of the singer.
