Official statement or press release from the Butte County Sheriff's Office

Gunman With Pro-Palestinian Motive Shoots Two Kindergartners at California Christian School

Dec 5, 2024, 10:00 AM

A gunman opened fire at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventist in Palermo, California, shortly after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, critically wounding two kindergarten students before taking his own life. The shooter, identified as 56-year-old Glenn Litton, reportedly used a ruse to gain entry to the small private religious school, pretending to inquire about enrolling a grandchild. Once inside, he shot two boys, ages 5 and 6; one of the students was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Both victims are hospitalized in extremely critical condition. Authorities are investigating the attack as a possible hate crime, noting that Litton, who had a criminal history in San Francisco, left a note expressing pro-Palestinian sentiments and indicating a desire to retaliate against U.S. involvement in conflicts in the Middle East. The Butte County Sheriff's Office is working to determine Litton's motives and whether the school was specifically targeted due to its religious affiliation.