School Shooting Leaves Two Kindergarten Students Critically Injured

Two kindergarteners critically wounded in shooting at Christian school in Oroville, California; gunman dead.

At a Glance

Two kindergarten students, aged 5 and 6, critically injured at Feather River Adventist School.
Shooter, Glenn Litton, 56, died from self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Attack believed to be motivated by school’s religious affiliation.
Gunman used ruse of discussing enrollment to gain access to school.
FBI assisting in investigation to understand shooter’s motivation.

Tragic Attack on Innocent Children

A horrific act of violence unfolded at the Feather River Adventist School in Oroville, California, leaving two young kindergarten students critically injured and a community in shock. The peaceful afternoon was shattered when a gunman, later identified as 56-year-old Glenn Litton, opened fire on the school grounds, targeting innocent children before taking his own life.

The incident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. local time, sending waves of panic through the small Christian school. Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea provided grim details of the attack, stating that the two young victims, aged 5 and 6, suffered “very, very serious injuries” and were in “extremely critical condition.”

BCSO is on scene of an active incident involving a shooting at Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Palermo. Students are being taken to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene, located at 2238 Monte Vista Avenue, Oroville. pic.twitter.com/01cJ2K1FS7

— Butte County Sheriff (@ButteSheriff) December 4, 2024

Deception and Targeted Attack

In a disturbing turn of events, it was revealed that the gunman had used deception to gain access to the school premises. Sheriff Honea explained, “The suspect came on to campus to meet with the principal to discuss the possibility of enrolling.” This ruse allowed Litton to bypass security measures and carry out his heinous act. “Shortly after concluding that meeting, the principal heard shots being fired, heard screams, and that’s when they determined or found that the students had been shot,” Sheriff Kory L. Honea reported.

Authorities believe the attack was not random but specifically targeted the Seventh-day Adventist institution. Sheriff Honea stated, “Information received by the sheriff’s office leads us to believe that the subject responsible for the shooting targeted this school because of its affiliation with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”

Investigation Underway

As the community grapples with this senseless act of violence, law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, are working tirelessly to uncover the shooter’s motives. Sid Patel, an FBI representative, stated, “We’re doing an entire work-up of the subject, to get a better understanding of his motivation, ideology — what else could help understand today’s situation and incident.”

A note found at the scene provided some insight into the gunman’s twisted reasoning, describing the attack as “child executions” in “response to America’s involvement with Genocide and Oppression of Palestinians along with the attacks towards Yemen.” This disturbing revelation raises questions about the influence of international conflicts on domestic extremism.

The investigation has also revealed that Litton had a history of mental health issues and a criminal record, including theft, fraud, and forgery. These factors will undoubtedly play a role in understanding the path that led to this tragic event.

Community Response and Safety Measures

In the aftermath of the shooting, authorities acted swiftly to ensure the safety of the remaining 35 children at the school. They were safely transferred to a nearby church and reunited with their anxious families. As a precautionary measure, a state-wide alert was issued to other Seventh-day Adventist schools, highlighting the potential for targeted attacks on religious institutions.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church, a Protestant denomination with 1.2 million members in the U.S. and Canada and 22 million worldwide, now finds itself at the center of this tragedy. This attack serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of faith-based institutions and the need for increased security measures.

As the Oroville community begins the difficult process of healing, the focus remains on the two young victims fighting for their lives. Their recovery will be a long and challenging journey, but the outpouring of support from the community demonstrates the resilience and unity that often emerges in the face of such devastating events.