A Christian school in Northern California became the scene of a deadly shooting Wednesday afternoon, leaving two kindergarten students severely injured and raising new questions about school security. The incident, which occurred at the Feather River Adventist School in Oroville, took place just after a meeting between the suspected gunman and school administrators.
According to Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea, the suspect claimed to be considering enrolling a family member at the small, private academy affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Both children, ages 5 and 6, remain in critical but stable condition following the attack. "I'm thankful that they are still alive, but they have a long road ahead of them," Sheriff Honea told reporters. Officials say the two victims were promptly treated after officers arrived on the scene within minutes of receiving an emergency call shortly after 1 p.m. Authorities found the suspect dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A handgun was recovered nearby.
Students and staff quickly took shelter where they could. One sixth grader, 12-year-old Jocelyn Orlando, tried to comfort younger classmates. "I told the kindergartners to take deep breaths and just think of something happy," she recalled in an interview with CNN affiliate KOVR. She also asked the youngest students to "close their eyes and cover their ears" while the gunman, visible through a window, paced outside. That quick thinking provided at least some small measure of calm amid the chaos unfolding just feet away.
Investigators are working with the FBI and other agencies to determine the motive behind this rare but devastating incident at a school associated with the Seventh-day Adventist faith. Sheriff Honea said authorities are reviewing all aspects of the suspect's background and statements made during the meeting with school officials. "Whether or not this is a hate crime or whether or not it's part of some sort of larger scheme at this point, I don't have enough information to provide an answer to that," Honea said.
The small Christian academy serves about 35 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Parents, expecting a safe learning environment, found themselves in a nightmarish scenario. One father shared, "the presumption is that it's the safest place a parent can send their child." Students were eventually transported by bus to a nearby church, where anxious families gathered to be reunited with their loved ones. "A lot of hugging going on," said Pastor Travis Marshall, who witnessed emotional parents anxiously waiting for their children's names to be called.
Governor Gavin Newsom called the shooting "Heartbreaking," adding, "Once again, a community is shattered by senseless gun violence." Others also offered their condolences and outrage. Nicole Hockley, co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise-whose six-year-old son Dylan was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting-said, "In the wake of this shocking and senseless act, our hearts are with these two precious children and their families."
Assemblyman James Gallagher, who represents the region, said in a statement: "We will never understand why or how someone could do a thing like this. I am grateful for the bravery of the law enforcement, fire and medical personnel who responded to this attack." The Butte County District Attorney's Office is providing ongoing support for the young victims and their families, acknowledging the lasting trauma this event will likely inflict on survivors.
Recent data shows that guns are now the leading cause of death for American children, and at least 78 school shootings have been recorded in the United States this year. As communities search for answers and ask how such tragedies can be prevented, some point to the need for a reassessment of campus security, mental health resources, and effective gun safety measures.
