Prom
Backed by
Two young children in kindergarten are in stable condition after being shot by a gunman at their rural school in Northern California. The suspect, who has a history of criminal activity and mental health issues, was responsible for the shooting.
Written by Soumya Karlamangla and Orlando Mayorquín
Soumya Karlamangla provided coverage from San Francisco, while Orlando Mayorquín reported from Oroville, California.
Two young students from kindergarten were walking to the bathroom during lunchtime on Wednesday at Feather River Adventist School. It was just a quick trip before they returned to their classroom.
Instead, not long after, they were shot and severely injured by a shooter.
Two young boys named Roman Mendez and Elias Wolford, aged 6 and 5 respectively, were quickly taken from their school near Oroville, California. One was transported by ambulance and the other by helicopter to hospitals without any delay.
Vanessa Diaz expressed her distress over the situation, mentioning that her brother Roman is currently in the intensive care unit and is unconscious. She described the experience as heartbreaking.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday that the boys’ condition had improved to "critical but stable", bringing a sense of hope to the rural community located approximately 60 miles north of Sacramento. This community has experienced a lot of sadness in recent years. Residents are coming together to organize fundraisers, hold vigils, and raise money to help the victims and their families, just as they have done in the past in this agricultural area.
Residents in this area experienced the devastating Camp fire six years ago, resulting in the loss of 85 lives and the complete destruction of Paradise, located about 20 miles away. Additionally, a year prior to the fire, residents in Oroville had to quickly gather their belongings and evacuate in fear of the Oroville Dam potentially bursting.
During the shooting that occurred on Wednesday, authorities suspect that the shooter, identified as Glenn Litton, 56, intentionally targeted the parochial school due to its connection with the Seventh-day Adventists, a Protestant Christian group. Litton ultimately took his own life after the incident.
We are experiencing difficulties in accessing the content of the article.
To use this website properly, make sure to turn on JavaScript
We appreciate your understanding as we confirm access. If you are using Reader mode, please close out and sign in to your Times account, or consider subscribing to access all of The Times content.
We appreciate your understanding as we confirm access.
Are you currently a member? Please sign in.
Interested in accessing all content from The Times? Subscribe today.
Prom
Index of the website
Navigation to access site information