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.
Crime
Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting Suspect Identified as 16-Year-Old John Griffin, Who was shot and killed by Kaylub Giamanco
BEND, Oregon — The suspect in the deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, has been identified in preliminary reports as 16-year-old John J. Griffin, according to information provided for this report. Kaylub Giamanco has also been identified in the supplied account as the bystander who reportedly confronted and shot the teenage suspect during the October 15, 2026, incident.
According to a family member who spoke with Channel2 NOW, Giamanco was returning home during his lunch break when he encountered the emergency near the school, where his two daughters reportedly attend classes. He lives nearby and allegedly rushed toward the school after hearing gunshots and realizing that children, including his daughters, could be in danger.
Giamanco’s reported intervention has prompted expressions of gratitude and calls for him to be recognized for his actions. However, the suspect’s identity, Giamanco’s role and the precise sequence of events should be confirmed through official statements before being presented as established facts.
The account provided to Channel2 NOW describes Giamanco as a father who was returning home during his lunch break when the shooting unfolded. After hearing gunfire near Silver Rail Elementary School, he reportedly saw the suspected shooter moving toward or entering the building.
Because his two daughters attended the school, Giamanco allegedly ran toward the scene rather than away from it. Preliminary accounts say he confronted the suspect and shot him, and the 16-year-old reportedly died.
The supplied information does not independently establish the exact location of the confrontation, the actions of those involved immediately beforehand or whether investigators have formally confirmed Giamanco’s identity as the person who shot the suspect.
Nevertheless, the account has drawn strong emotional reactions from people who view his reported actions as an attempt to protect his daughters and other children inside the school.
Some supporters have called for Giamanco to receive a medal or other formal recognition. Any official commendation, however, would need to be confirmed by the relevant authorities.
The supplied report identifies John J. Griffin, 16, as the suspected shooter in the Silver Rail Elementary School attack. The available information describes him as a Bend resident and alleges that a shotgun was used during the incident.
The reported circumstances surrounding Griffin’s death remain an important part of the investigation. Early accounts indicate that a bystander shot the suspect during the emergency, but investigators would need to confirm the individual’s identity and establish the precise sequence of events.
The suspect’s identification and the circumstances of the shooting should be attributed to law enforcement once an official statement is available.
The October 15 shooting prompted a major emergency response and left the community grieving. Preliminary information supplied for this report indicates that four victims—three children and one adult—were killed. The suspected shooter was also reported dead, bringing the reported total to five fatalities.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer was identified in the supplied information as the first named victim. Two other children, reportedly ages 8 and 11, were also described as having died. An adult teacher was reported among the victims.
Two additional people—a 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher—were reportedly transported for medical treatment in critical condition.
The identities of the other victims, the final casualty figures and the latest conditions of the injured people require confirmation from law enforcement or the appropriate authorities. The information available for this article does not establish that the teacher who died was killed while protecting students, so that characterization should not be presented as confirmed.
Bend police reportedly issued an active-shooter alert at approximately 1:17 p.m. on Thursday, warning the public of a major law enforcement presence at Silver Rail Elementary School and urging people to avoid the surrounding area.
Police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded to the campus. Nearby schools, including Caldera High School and Jewell Elementary, were reportedly placed under lockdown as a precaution.
Authorities also designated Journey Church, located at 61303 S Highway 97 near Goodwill and Dairy Queen, as a family reunification location. Parents and guardians were directed there to reconnect with students and receive information during the emergency response.
The reported deaths of children and an adult educator have left families and the wider Bend community facing an immense tragedy. Rhoam Summer, just 5 years old, has become one of the first children named in the reports surrounding the shooting.
As the investigation continues, families are waiting for verified information and the opportunity to grieve their loved ones. Those affected by the shooting may also face a difficult period of emotional recovery.
Giamanco’s reported actions have added another dimension to the story, with supporters expressing gratitude for a father who allegedly rushed toward danger after hearing gunshots near the school attended by his daughters. His family’s experience and the well-being of his children also deserve consideration as details emerge.
🙏💔 Our thoughts are with the families of Rhoam Summer and the other reported victims, the injured child and teacher, and everyone affected by this devastating incident. May those who lost their lives rest in peace, and may their loved ones find strength and support during this heartbreaking time.