A tragic incident unfolded at a tiny religious school in Northern California when a gunman shot and critically wounded two kindergartners before taking his own life. The Butte County Sheriff revealed that the gunman, identified as Glenn Litton, 56, suffered from mental illness and used a deceptive tactic to gain entry to the school by pretending to enroll a grandchild. Litton had a criminal record primarily involving theft and identity theft, with no history of violent crimes.
Sheriff Honea suggested that Litton may have targeted the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Oroville due to its religious affiliation, as he had attended a similar school as a child. The two young victims, aged 5 and 6, were in critical condition after sustaining gunshot wounds during the attack. The 6-year-old suffered two gunshot wounds causing internal injuries, while the 5-year-old was shot once.
The shooting occurred at the private K-8 Christian school with fewer than three dozen students in Oroville. The gunman arrived for a fake meeting with a school administrator, dropped off by an Uber driver. Following the tragic event, the gunman's body was discovered near playground equipment on the school grounds, with a handgun found nearby.
The small rural school remained closed as deputies patrolled the campus, and staff members retrieved belongings from classrooms. The community of Oroville was left in shock, with local officials expressing deep sadness over the incident that disrupted the peace of the area.
Authorities swiftly evacuated students to a nearby church for reunification with their families. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, to which the school belongs, expressed profound sorrow over the shooting and commended law enforcement for their rapid response to protect the students.
School shootings continue to be a concerning issue in the United States, sparking debates on gun control and safety measures in educational institutions. Despite numerous incidents, national gun laws have seen little change, with firearms remaining a leading cause of death among children in recent years.
The Feather River School, part of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, has been serving the community since 1965. The emotional reunification of parents and children at the Oroville Church of the Nazarene highlighted the impact of the tragic event on families and students.
Students recounted their harrowing experience during the shooting, with one sixth grader describing the chaos and fear that gripped the school. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges surrounding school safety and the well-being of children in educational settings.
