Two Children in Critical Condition After Gunman Opens Fire at California School

Two children were in “extremely critical condition” on Wednesday, December 4, after being shot at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Palermo, Northern California.

The gunman died at the scene, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to police.

The sheriff of Butte County, Kory L. Honea, stated that the gunman may have targeted the school due to its religious affiliation but did not appear to have any prior connection to the victims or the school. Honea did not provide further details.

“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,” he said.

The wounded children, boys aged 5 and 6, are kindergarteners at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists and are currently being treated at a trauma center in the Sacramento area, officials confirmed.

“I am thankful that they’re still alive, but they’ve got a long road ahead of them,” Honea said.

The shooting took place shortly after 1 p.m. at the private Christian school, which has fewer than three dozen students, in Palermo.

The town of Palermo, with a population of about 5,500 people, is located approximately 65 miles (104 kilometers) north of Sacramento.