A tragic shooting unfolded at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Palermo, Northern California, leaving two children injured and the shooter dead from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot. The incident occurred near the school playground, and authorities are still determining the motive and identity of the shooter. The children were transported to hospitals for treatment, though no details about their conditions or identities were immediately available.
The small private school, which serves fewer than three dozen students from kindergarten through eighth grade, was the site of the attack at around 1 p.m. Wednesday. The incident shocked the community of Palermo, a town of roughly 5,500 residents located about 65 miles north of Sacramento. Emergency responders secured the area and moved students to a nearby church to be reunited with their families.
California School Shooting Leaves Two Children Injured, Gunman Dead in Suspected Suicide
This shooting is part of a disturbing pattern of school gun violence across the United States, joining a grim list that includes major incidents in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas. Despite the widespread devastation caused by these shootings, they have led to limited changes in national gun legislation. Firearms remain the leading cause of death among children in the U.S., underscoring the urgency of the gun control debate.
Local leaders and community members expressed sorrow and frustration over the tragedy. Assemblyman James Gallagher, who represents the Palermo area, offered condolences and highlighted the senselessness of the violence. As parents in the area cope with the trauma of yet another school shooting, the issue continues to raise critical questions about safety and preventative measures in schools nationwide.
Sheriff Kory L. Honea stated that the shooter appeared to have no connection to the school, adding to the mystery surrounding the attack. Deputies responding to 911 calls found the gunman dead near the school’s playground equipment, covered by a tarp. The school, which has served the community since 1965, now joins a growing number of educational institutions forever marked by the scourge of gun violence.
