Oroville, Calif. — Two young students were critically wounded in a shooting at a small Christian school in Northern California, authorities confirmed on Thursday. The tragic incident, which occurred at Feather River Adventist School in Oroville, north of Sacramento, left the community in shock as they grappled with yet another act of gun violence affecting American educational institutions.
The injured students, identified as 6-year-old Roman Mendez and 5-year-old Elias Wolford, are currently receiving medical treatment in a nearby hospital. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea described their condition as critical but stable, emphasizing the severe nature of their injuries and the extensive medical procedures they face going forward.
Sheriff Honea revealed during a news conference that the boys sustained serious internal injuries; Mendez with two gunshot wounds and Wolford hit in the abdomen. The suspect, 56-year-old Glen Litton, was found deceased at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to officials. The FBI has joined the ongoing investigation to assist local authorities.
This violent occurrence at the Feather River Adventist School follows a distressing pattern of school shootings in the U.S., contributing to a grim tally of over 78 such incidents recorded this year alone. The prevalence of gun-related deaths among children has positioned firearms as the leading cause of death among the youth in the country.
Amid the chaos, student testimonies highlighted the terrifying moments during the incident. Sixth grader Jocelyn Orlando recounted efforts to maintain calm among the younger students as the shooter lurked just outside their gymnasium. Her quick thinking led her to advise the kindergarteners to focus on positive thoughts and to shield themselves from the alarming situation unfolding around them.
In the wake of the shooting, the close-knit school community, along with the Seventh-day Adventist Church to which it is affiliated, rallied in support of the victims and their families. A communication director from the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called for prayers for all impacted.
Authorities are diligently examining the motives behind Litton’s attack, particularly any potential connection with his previous associations or grievances related to the church or school. Sheriff Honea detailed that prior to the tragedy, Litton had engaged in what appeared to be a deceptive interaction with the school’s administration regarding a potential student enrollment.
The suspect had a complicated legal and mental health history, including multiple criminal offenses that legally prohibited him from gun possession. Investigative leads suggested Litton might have targeted the school due to its religious affiliations, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding case.
The community’s immediate response to the shooting was swift and organized. Within minutes of the emergency calls, state patrol and local sheriff’s deputies were on site, securing the area and administering critical first aid to the injured students. The remaining students were safely evacuated to a nearby church where emotional reunions with their families occurred throughout the evening.
This episode stands as a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges of addressing gun violence in American society. As the community of Oroville and the nation come to terms with this latest school shooting, the broader discussion continues about how to effectively protect the most vulnerable members of society and prevent future tragedies.