Crime
2 kindergarteners wounded, gunman dead after shooting at Feather River School of Seventh Day Adventists in Palermo
The gunman’s body was discovered near playground equipment, alongside a handgun.
Two young boys, ages 5 and 6, were critically injured in a shooting at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists, a small religious K-8 school in Palermo, California, on Wednesday afternoon.
The shooter, whose identity has not yet been released, died at the scene from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shooting unfolded shortly after 1 p.m. on the grounds of the private Christian school, which serves fewer than three dozen students.
According to Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea, the shooter may have targeted the school due to its religious affiliation, though investigators have found no evidence of a prior connection between the suspect, the victims, or the institution.
“Whether or not this is a hate crime or part of some larger scheme, I don’t have enough information at this point to provide an answer,” Sheriff Honea stated during a press conference.
The gunman was reportedly dropped off at the school by an Uber driver, who is now cooperating with detectives.
Initially, the shooter met with an administrator about enrolling a child at the school. Sheriff Honea described the meeting as “cordial” but noted that it was the suspect’s first visit to the campus.
Shortly after the meeting, the suspect began firing.
The two injured children, both kindergarteners, were quickly transported to a trauma center in the Sacramento area, where they remain in “extremely critical condition,” according to officials.
“I am thankful that they’re still alive, but they’ve got a long road ahead of them,” Honea said.
Among the victims is Elias, Debbie Wolford’s grandson, who was critically injured during the attack. Debbie has provided an update on Elias’ condition, and she is asking for prayers for his recovery and for the other child who was also wounded in the incident.
In an update shared by Debbie, she wrote:
“Elias is out of surgery… they are stopping by CT and heading to the PICU. The bullet went through his lung, through his stomach, and clipped a bit of the pancreas. They performed an exploratory laparotomy (X-Lap), opening his abdominal cavity to search for damage. He now has a chest tube in place and may require further surgery, but for now, he is stable and being monitored in the PICU.”
Elias has a long road to recovery ahead, and the family is grateful for the prayers and support they’ve received so far. Please keep Elias, his family, and the other young victim in your thoughts as they navigate this incredibly difficult time.
One of the young victims of the recent shooting at Feather River Adventist School has been identified as 6-year-old Roman Mendez. According to his sister, Roman is currently receiving treatment at U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for injuries sustained during the tragic incident.
Roman suffered wounds to his chest and back, and doctors informed the family that he had four wounds. However, it remains unclear whether some of these injuries are entry wounds or exit wounds. His sister shared that Roman has undergone successful surgeries, but his recovery is expected to be both lengthy and difficult.
Adding to the family’s anguish, Roman’s twin brother, who is also a student at Feather River Adventist School, witnessed the horrifying events unfold.
In the wake of the tragedy, the community is coming together to honor and support the victims. A candlelight vigil will be held on Friday at 5:15 p.m. at the Christmas tree in downtown Oroville. Community members are invited to gather in solidarity to remember those affected and offer prayers for healing.
The gunman’s body was discovered near playground equipment, alongside a handgun. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and authorities are working to notify the suspect’s family before releasing his identity.
Following the shooting, law enforcement moved swiftly to secure the scene and protect students. The children were initially gathered in a gymnasium before being transported by bus to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene, where they were reunited with their families.
Travis Marshall, senior pastor of the Oroville Church of the Nazarene, described the reunification process as deeply emotional. “Some of the children were incredibly emotional,” he said. “One woman raised her hands, praising the Lord, when she found her child.”
Jocelyn Orlando, a sixth-grader at the school, recounted the harrowing experience. “We were going in for lunch recess, and basically everybody in my classroom heard shooting,” she told CBS News Sacramento. “We all went into the office, closed the curtains, locked the doors, and did what we would do in a school shooting drill. Then one of the teachers came, and we all ran into the gym.”
Laurie Trujillo, a spokesperson for the Northern California Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, expressed sorrow over the tragedy. “We are deeply saddened by the events that occurred today at our Feather River School,” she said in a statement. “We are grateful to the sheriff’s office for acting quickly to protect the students.”
Assemblyman James Gallagher, who represents Palermo, also issued a statement, saying, “My heart is breaking for everyone impacted by this tragedy. As a community, we’ll all be hugging our loved ones closer today as we pray for the victims and try to make sense of something so senseless.”
The shooting is the latest in a string of violent incidents at schools across the United States, reigniting debates over gun control and school safety.
The Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists has served the Palermo community since 1965. It is part of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, a Christian denomination that emphasizes the Bible as its only creed and believes in the imminent return of Christ.
Palermo, a town of roughly 5,500 residents located 65 miles north of Sacramento, is now grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event. As the investigation continues, the community remains in mourning, united in prayers for the recovery of the two young victims.
Authorities have urged anyone with additional information about the shooting to contact the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.
Orlando, Fla. — Family and friends of 33-year-old Julien Emmanuel Cruz are seeking answers and accountability following his fatal shooting outside a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub early Sunday morning.
According to the Orlando Police Department, officers responded at approximately 2:31 a.m. on February 22, 2026, to the 1900 block of North Orange Avenue, just north of Lake Ivanhoe, in reference to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located Cruz suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Authorities confirmed Cruz was born May 18, 1992.
Detectives determined that prior to the shooting, Cruz and the suspect were involved in a verbal and physical altercation on the sidewalk outside the nightclub district. Investigators say that during the dispute, the suspect retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and shot Cruz.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, which patrol officers later located in the 200 block of East New Hampshire Avenue, approximately two blocks from where the shooting occurred.
Police subsequently arrested 37-year-old Jean Gabriel Borja Gil De La Madr (DOB: October 29, 1988). He has been charged with Second Degree Murder with a Firearm. Authorities confirmed this case marks the third homicide in Orlando in 2026.
Cruz’s father, Anthony Cruz, said his son and his partner had been at Savoy Orlando enjoying the evening before the violence unfolded.
According to the family, as the couple exited the club after closing time, a vehicle sped past them. Cruz’s partner allegedly yelled toward the occupants of the vehicle, prompting the car to stop. A physical altercation then reportedly began between Cruz’s partner and one of the individuals from the vehicle.
“When they fought, my son saw that was happening. My son went to intervene, and when he intervened, another guy got out of the car, and he got shot,” Anthony Cruz said. “My son didn’t deserve what happened. All I have left is a shirt — a shirt with a bullet hole.”
While police have charged Borja Gil De La Madr, Cruz’s family maintains that another individual may have been directly responsible for pulling the trigger. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether additional suspects are being sought.
A small memorial has formed across from the nightclub, where members of the community have gathered to honor Cruz’s memory.
Joshua Cooper, owner of Savoy Orlando, said the tragedy has deeply impacted the LGBTQ+ community, even though the shooting occurred off the club’s property.
“I didn’t know the victim, but from everything I’ve been told, I wish I had,” Cooper said. “He seemed like a great kid. Seeing a family that is so heartbroken and so supportive of this community says so much.”
The Orlando Police Department has not released additional information regarding potential additional suspects. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation and shooting.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline.
The investigation remains active.