The quiet community of Palermo, California, was shattered yesterday after a gunman opened fire at the Feather River Adventist School, a small religious institution serving the area. The suspected shooter, whose identity has not yet been released, was confirmed dead at the scene, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.
“Deputies responded swiftly to reports of an active shooter at the school. Upon arrival, they located the suspected shooter deceased. The incident appears to have been isolated, and there is no further threat to the community,”
(Action News Now).
🚨 Deputies in Oroville,CA are currently on the scene of an active incident involving a shooting at Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventist in Palermo, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO).
Authorities said students are being taken to the Oroville Church… pic.twitter.com/0Sn5DmwWkl
— jay plemons (@jayplemons) December 4, 2024
What Happened at the Scene
The Feather River Adventist School, a private religious institution with a small student body, became the scene of the tragic shooting just before noon. According to reports, shots rang out on campus, sending staff and students scrambling for safety. The school’s religious affiliation and intimate size suggest the shooter likely targeted the institution intentionally.
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(KCRA) explains what happened:
Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said they got a 911 call around 1 p.m. about a shooting at the Feather River Adventist School near Palermo.
When deputies got to the campus, they found a man believed to be the shooter with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. That man is dead.
Deputies also found two students with gunshot wounds, the sheriff’s office said. They are now in the hospital with unknown injuries. Honea said details on the children’s age and gender are not being released at this time, but he did say one of the students was transported by air.
Two students were hurt in the shooting, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office says. An active investigation is underway: https://t.co/alp1aQfjPM pic.twitter.com/kNpEewUlvc
— CBS Sacramento (@CBSSacramento) December 4, 2024
The Shooter’s Intentions
Feather River Adventist School’s religious mission is central to its identity. According to the school’s official website:
“The Feather River Seventh-day Adventist School provides a Christ-centered education for children, fostering spiritual, mental, and physical development in a safe, nurturing environment.”
(Feather River Adventist School Website)
Given the institution’s focus on religious teachings, many speculate that the shooter deliberately targeted the school for its faith-based mission. Sheriff’s deputies have yet to confirm whether the attack was motivated by religious bias.
Ongoing Investigation
While authorities have not disclosed the shooter’s identity or motive, the targeting of a religious institution has raised questions about potential hate-related intentions. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with information about the case to come forward.
This is a developing story, and updates will follow as new details emerge.
Featured image via KCRA News.
