Two young students, aged 5 and 6, are fighting for their lives after a shooting incident at a small Seventh-day Adventist School in California. The alleged shooter was found dead at the scene, believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The incident occurred around 1 p.m. at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Palermo, a small elementary school with a total of 33 students. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea expressed his shock and sorrow at a news conference held near the school.
The students were evacuated to a nearby church where they were reunited with their parents. Honea described the situation as “horribly tragic,” adding that everyone was operating on adrenaline and doing their best to ensure the safety and well-being of the students.
The two victims, both boys, were rushed to a hospital, one airlifted due to the severity of his injuries. They are both reported to be in “extremely critical condition.”
The remaining students were taken to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene, where they were safely picked up by their parents. The identity of the shooter has not been released, but it was reported that he arrived at the school in a gray four-door sedan, possibly a ride-sharing service, for a meeting with the principal about a potential student enrollment. There was no child present during the meeting, according to the sheriff.
The purpose of the meeting is still under investigation, as authorities are in the early stages of their inquiry. The principal reported hearing gunshots and screams shortly after the meeting concluded, leading to the discovery of the two injured students.
The shooter was found dead near a slide on the playground, with no apparent connection to the school or its students. The sheriff suggested that the school may have been targeted due to its affiliation with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the school was placed on lockdown and surrounding roads were closed as police conducted their investigation. Palermo is a small town located approximately 65 miles north of Sacramento.