Man Identified in Shooting of Two Children at California Religious School

 

Officials in Northern California have identified Glenn Litton, a 56-year-old with a history of criminal and mental health issues, as the man responsible for shooting two kindergarten students at a religious school on Wednesday. Litton later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office announced.

The shooting occurred at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists near Oroville, a small city in northern California, leaving the community in shock.The victims, Roman Mendez, 6, and Elias Wilford, 5, are in critical condition and face long recoveries, including multiple surgeries, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea revealed. Despite the gravity of their injuries, Honea described their survival as a "miracle."

“The real focus during this investigation must remain on the victims,” Honea said, urging support for their recovery. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist with medical expenses, raising $300 toward a $10,000 goal as of Thursday.

The attack took place at approximately 1 p.m. as students returned to class following lunch recess. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire, triggering immediate lockdown procedures. Sixth-grader Jocelyn Orlando described the chaos, recounting how students hid in classrooms and eventually fled to the gym for safety.

Authorities confirmed that Litton was on the school premises for a scheduled meeting to discuss enrolling a family member. The meeting was reportedly calm and uneventful, with no warning signs of violence. Minutes after the discussion, Litton opened fire on the playground before turning the gun on himself. His body, along with a handgun, was found near a slide.

A California Highway Patrol officer arrived at the scene within 90 seconds of the first 911 call. Every available deputy in the county was dispatched to secure the area.While Litton had no apparent connection to the school or the victims, officials suspect the attack may have been linked to the institution’s religious affiliation with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Investigators revealed that Litton had expressed grievances over U.S. foreign policies, including actions in Palestine and Yemen, but emphasized that the incident appeared isolated.

Litton, who had a long criminal history involving forgery and identity theft, was recently arrested in San Francisco for failing to return a rental car and possessing a forged driver’s license. Officials believe he fabricated a story about enrolling his grandson to gain access to the school.The Butte County community, already burdened by past disasters such as the 2018 Camp Fire and a 2022 shooting on a Greyhound bus, is grappling with yet another tragedy. Sheriff Honea acknowledged the community’s resilience, stating, “This county has faced so much in recent years, and it’s heartbreaking to be back in this position.”Authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security, continue to investigate Litton’s actions and motives, piecing together the events leading up to the shooting. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance and mental health awareness in preventing such tragedies. Meanwhile, the community remains united in supporting the victims and healing from the latest blow to their collective spirit.