2 students injured, gunman dead in Butte County school shooting

OROVILLE, Calif. — A gunman is dead and two young boys have been hospitalized after a shooting at a school in Butte County on Wednesday afternoon.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) said they began receiving 911 calls at around 1 p.m. regarding an adult male firing shots at students at Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventist in Oroville. Multiple agencies immediately responded to the scene and located the shooter dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two boys, aged five and six, were injured in the shooting and transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Parents were asked to respond to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene, a.k.a. OroNaz Church, located at 2238 Monte Vista Avenue, where students were being bussed and released.

Sheriff Honea said in an update at 4:39 p.m. that the victims were shot with a handgun. It is unknown at this time how many times they were shot or where they were physically hit. The conditions of the boys are unknown at this time.

Honea said that the shooter was at the school to meet with the principal earlier on Wednesday to inquire about “enrolling a student”. The sheriff said that moments later, screams and gunshots were heard.

While the Butte County Sheriff’s Office continues to lead the investigation, the FBI has arrived to investigate, according to Honea.

Honea said that they believe they know who the shooter is, but their identity is not being released at this time. Honea did state that the shooter may have been affiliated with the school or church.

The sheriff said that police believe the shooter was dropped off at the school in a gray 4-door sedan, it is unclear at this time if was a ride-share service.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting incident is asked to contact the Butte County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

State Route 70 closed to northbound traffic at East Gridley Road following the incident, according to the California Highway Patrol. They said traffic was diverted west to State Route 99. Additionally, southbound SR-70 was closed to southbound traffic at Power House Hill Road. They said traffic was diverted east to Lone Tree Road.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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