Gunman Targets California Religious School, Wounds 2 Kindergartners
PALERMO, Calif. (AP) — In a horrifying incident, two young children were left in “extremely critical condition” after being shot at a small religious K-8 school in Northern California by a gunman who later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The tragic event unfolded at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Palermo, leaving the community reeling from the senseless violence.
Details of the Incident
The gunman, whose motives remain unclear, may have targeted the school due to its religious affiliation, according to Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea. However, there is no evidence to suggest any prior connection between the shooter and the victims or the school. The wounded children, two boys aged 5 and 6, are currently receiving treatment at a trauma center in the Sacramento area, with a long road to recovery ahead of them.
The shooting took place shortly after 1 p.m. at the private Christian school, which has a student body of fewer than three dozen students. The incident marks yet another tragic school shooting in the United States, adding to the growing list of similar tragedies that have plagued the nation in recent years.
Community Response and Reunification
Following the shooting, authorities swiftly moved to ensure the safety of the students, relocating them to a nearby gymnasium before transporting them to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene to reunite with their families. Travis Marshall, the senior pastor at the church, described the emotional scene as parents were finally able to embrace their children after the harrowing ordeal.
One student, Jocelyn Orlando, recounted the terrifying experience of hearing gunshots during lunch recess and the subsequent lockdown procedures that were implemented to ensure their safety. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, Assemblyman James Gallagher expressed his profound sorrow for all those affected by the senseless act of violence.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the tight-knit community of Palermo is left to mourn the loss of innocence and grapple with the harsh reality of gun violence in America. The tragic events serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive gun control measures to prevent such senseless tragedies from recurring in the future.
