OROVILLE — Butte County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting at Feather River Adventist School as Glenn Litton, 56.
According to Sheriff Kory Honea, investigators determined Litton’s motivation for the shooting on a typed on a note found on his body, as well as subsequent correspondence to other people.
Honea said evidence indicates Litton targeted the school because of its affiliation with the Seventh-Day Adventist church.
Litton held a belief the Seventh-Day Adventists were involved in the genocide and oppression of Palestinians, as well as the U. S. attack on Yemen, according to Honea.
Honea said Litton’s most recent activity is described as being homeless, and that he spent time between the Sacramento and Chico area. Litton had a lengthy criminal history and history of mental health issues, and he was first imprisoned in 1991 for theft with and other convictions include theft fraud forgery in 1990s to early 2000s, Honea said.
Litton was reported to have severe mental health issues from the age of 16 moving forward. Honea said there was no official diagnosis.
Litten was most recently arrested on Nov. 12 for being inside a stolen pickup and for possession of false identification under the name of “Michael Sanders.” He was released from San Mateo County Jail on Nov. 21, took a bus to the Chico area, and stayed in various hotels in the Chico area.
On Dec. 4, Litton was was in the vicinity of the Motel 6 in Chico, and around 7:45 a.m. he got onto a bus at Second and Salem streets in Chico, then exited the bus at Montgomery and Myers in Oroville, carrying a large duffel bag.
This was when Litton was driven by an Uber driver to the school to attend an appointment he made with school administration and to carry out the shooting, according to Honea.
Litton’s story was that his daughter recently moved to Gridley, and he wanted his grandson to go to the Feather River school.
“As it turns out, that was all a lie,” Honea said. “It appears to us that story was a ruse to set up an appointment so that he could gain access to the campus.”
Honea said the man claimed to be a lieutenant for an organization called The International Alliance. Investigators believe there are no organizations that call themselves The International Alliance and “is active in this regard.”
“There’s nothing we’ve found no information to believe that this organization has some kind of military structure,” Honea said.
Boys’ condition
Honea also identified the two boys injured in the shooting as Roman Mendez, 6, and Elias Wolford, 5.
Mendez sustained two gunshot wounds resulting in internal injuries, Honea said. Wolford was shot one time in the abdomen that resulted in internal injuries.
The boys continue to be in critical but stable condition as they continue treatment at local hospitals, according to a social media update posted at 10 a.m. Thursday by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.
“It is likely they will need a number of surgeries going forward,” Honea said. “The fact that they are still with us is a miracle and something we can be hopeful for.”
The shooting was reported at 1:08 p.m. Wednesday at the school near Highway 99 and Cox Lane. First responders found two boys injured and one man lying on the ground, dead from an apparent self-inflected gunshot wound.
An investigation to learn about the shooting is being coordinated by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, the Butte County District Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Sacramento.
A vigil for the victims will be held 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Oroville Convention Center, 1200 Myers St.
The vigil will have cards at a table to sign that will be delivered to the injured boys, Oroville Mayor David Pittman said.
Local schools
All schools under the jurisdiction of the Northern California Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church closed today in light of the shooting, according to an email by the organization Thursday afternoon.
Oroville schools have remained open following the shooting, said Butte County Office of Education communication officer Travis Souders.
As a result of Wednesday’s shooting, the Oroville Police Department stated in a news release Thursday that it increased its presence Thursday at all Oroville school campuses, and the department encouraged anyone experiencing anxiety to reach out to school counselors or local resources available in our community.
“Our officers, including our school resource officers, are trained for situations like this and are dedicated to maintaining a safe environment for students, educators and families,” the department stated. “Officers will remain on campus to offer visible support and ensure everyone’s safety during this difficult time.”
While Feather River Adventist School is a private school unaffiliated with the Butte County Office of Education, Souders said the tragedy was felt throughout the district.
“We’re part of the same community,” said Souders. “We’re helping support them as much as we can.”
Reactions
Northern California Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church provided a statement Wednesday that reads:
“We are deeply saddened by the events that occurred today.
“Our students, faculty, and staff at Feather River (school) have been reunited with their families. Two of our students are being treated for their injuries. Join us as we lift up these children and their families in prayer. Today, the Northern California Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will close its schools to allow everyone to spend time with their families,” the organization stated.
“We are grateful for the brave officers of the Butte County Sheriff’s (Office) who acted quickly to protect our students. We will continue to work closely with Sheriff Kory Honea and his team during this investigation.”
After the shooting, the senior advisor to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Sophia Sokolowski, called Oroville Mayor David Pittman to offer support.
Pittman put the White House in contact with Butte County Chief Administrative Officer Andy Picket, whom they also offered support and asked how they may be of assistance in this time.
“I appreciate their contact to reach out to us to help assist with any needs,” Pittman said.
The North Valley Community Fund has started a fund on its website to help the victims and their families at https://www.nvcf.org/funds/feather-river-adventist-school-victims-fund.
“Like so many in the community, we are stunned by the shooting of two kindergarten students at Feather River Adventist School near Oroville,” stated the foundation. “We’ve opened up a fund to provide financial support for medical bills and other expenses for the victims injured and their families. “
Online, GoFundMe is monitoring its platform to help fundraisers for those affected, said GoFundMe Communications Manager Jasmine Han.
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