Two children were in a critical condition on Wednesday, 4th December, after a shooting at a religious K-8 school in Northern California, United States. The gunman died at the scene, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea suggested that the gunman may have targeted the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Palermo due to its religious affiliation, but he did not elaborate. He also stated that there was no known prior connection between the gunman and the victims or the school.
When asked if the incident was a hate crime or part of a larger scheme, Honea replied that he did not have sufficient information to answer.
The injured children, both boys aged 5 and 6, are kindergarteners at the school and are currently receiving treatment at a trauma centre in the Sacramento area. Honea expressed his gratitude for their survival but acknowledged the significant challenges they face.
The shooting occurred shortly after 1 pm at the private Christian school, which has fewer than three dozen students. Palermo, a town of approximately 5,500 people, is located about 65 miles (104 kilometres) north of Sacramento.
