A homeless man with a history of mental illness shot two young children at a Seventh-day Adventist school in California, citing the situation in Gaza as his motivation.
At a Glance
- Glenn Litton shot two kindergarten boys at Feather River Adventist School in Palermo, California
- Litton, who had a history of mental illness, killed himself after the shooting
- The shooter left a statement claiming the attack was revenge for American involvement in Gaza and Yemen
- The two victims, aged 5 and 6, are in critical but stable condition
- The incident has sparked discussions about school safety and the impact of global conflicts on domestic issues
Tragic Shooting at California Christian School
A disturbing act of violence unfolded at Feather River Adventist School near Palermo, California, when a homeless man identified as Glenn Litton opened fire on two young children. The incident, which occurred around 1 p.m., has left the community in shock and raised serious questions about school security and the far-reaching effects of international conflicts.
Litton, who had a history of mental health issues dating back to his teenage years, gained access to the school by using a fake ID and pretending to be interested in enrolling a relative. After meeting with the principal, Litton proceeded to shoot two kindergarten-age boys, Roman Mendez (6) and Elias Wolford (5), before taking his own life.
Victims’ Condition and Community Response
The young victims were initially reported to be in “extremely critical condition” but have since been described as “critical but stable.” Sheriff Kory Honea provided an update on their status, stating, “They have a very long road ahead of them in terms of recovery.” The community has rallied around the families, with a vigil planned in Oroville and support resources made available for those affected by the tragedy.
“We are absolutely devastated by this senseless act of violence,” Laurie Trujillo said.
In response to the shooting, all schools in the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists were closed. The Feather River Adventist School, a K-8 institution with approximately 35 students, became the smallest school in the United States to experience gun violence in the past 25 years, according to reports.
Shooter’s Motivation and Background
Authorities have revealed that Litton left behind a written statement justifying the shooting as revenge for what he termed the “genocide” by Israel in Gaza. The statement also mentioned American involvement in Yemen, connecting his actions to broader geopolitical issues.
“This individual did have some significant mental health issues,” Sheriff Kory Honea said.
Litton’s troubled past included serving prison time for identity theft and other crimes. His targeting of the Seventh-day Adventist school was deliberate, as he had researched other Adventist schools before the attack. The FBI is now assisting in the investigation to better understand Litton’s motivation and ideology.
Broader Implications and Security Concerns
The incident has highlighted the vulnerability of even small, rural private schools to acts of violence. It has also underscored the complex interplay between global conflicts, mental health issues, and domestic security. The shooting has prompted calls for enhanced security measures at schools and renewed discussions about mental health care and gun control.
“We’re doing an entire work-up of the subject, to get a better understanding of his motivation, ideology — what else could help understand today’s situation and incident,” FBI special agent Sid Patel said.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, questions remain about how to prevent such incidents in the future and how to address the far-reaching impacts of global conflicts on domestic soil.
