Crime
Jesse Kitagawa arrested for selling handgun used in Feather River Adventist School shooting
On December 4, 2024, at approximately 1:09 p.m., the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) received a 911 call reporting a shooting at the Seventh Day Adventist School on Cox Lane in Oroville. Deputies arrived on the scene within a minute and began investigating a devastating act of violence.
The investigation revealed that Glenn Litton, 56, used a handgun to critically wound two kindergarten students, aged five and six, before fatally shooting himself as law enforcement arrived.
Litton, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
The weapon used in the attack was identified as a Glock 19 “ghost gun.” These firearms are assembled from parts and lack serial numbers, making them difficult to trace.
With assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), detectives traced the firearm’s origins. Evidence showed that:
- The ghost gun components were previously owned by Steven Lyons, 77, of Buckeye, Arizona.
- Lyons legally purchased the firearm from the widow of its original owner in April 2024.
- Lyons then sold the firearm to Jesse Kitagawa Jr., 45, of Phoenix, Arizona, on April 8, 2024.
Kitagawa, a convicted felon, was prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms, making the transaction unlawful under Arizona state law. However, Lyons did not violate the law during the sale as Kitagawa presented a valid Arizona driver’s license and falsely assured Lyons of his eligibility to own firearms.
Detectives determined that Kitagawa sold the firearm to Litton for $300 during a meeting at a Chandler, Arizona motel on April 10, 2024. Litton later returned to California by Greyhound bus and practiced with the firearm at a Phoenix gun range, where he also purchased ammunition consistent with what was used in the Oroville shooting.
On January 9, 2025, BCSO detectives, in collaboration with the Phoenix Police Department, executed a search warrant at Kitagawa’s Phoenix residence. Evidence was recovered confirming Kitagawa’s sale of the firearm to Litton. Additional evidence revealed Kitagawa possessed the weapon illegally and violated state law by selling it to Litton.
Kitagawa was arrested by Phoenix Police for being a felon in possession of a firearm. At his initial court hearing on January 10, 2025, a judge found probable cause for the charges and issued a bond. Kitagawa is currently awaiting further court proceedings, with formal charges expected to be filed by the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office. A court date has not yet been set.
Sheriff Kory Honea expressed gratitude to all agencies involved, stating:
“I want to thank the FBI for their assistance in tracing the firearm to its origins in Arizona and the Phoenix Police Department for partnering with us in this investigation. I also want to commend the dedication of BCSO detectives who worked tirelessly to uncover the chain of events that led to this tragedy. The arrest of Kitagawa demonstrates our unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who unlawfully assisted Litton in carrying out his evil plan.”
This ongoing investigation underscores the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies to address gun violence and ensure justice for the victims of this horrific act.
Authorities have confirmed that the deadly shooting at Brown University occurred inside a first-floor classroom within the Barus and Holley Engineering Building. Investigators believe all 11 victims were students.
Two individuals were pronounced dead, while the remaining victims were transported to area hospitals.
One additional victim was later confirmed to have sustained injuries from bullet fragments and is expected to make a full recovery.
According to Providence Police, the suspect fled the building immediately after the shooting, exiting onto Hope Street and then moving toward the Waterman Street area.
More than six hours after the incident, the suspect remains at large.
Officials stated that there is no interior surveillance footage of the shooter inside the Barus and Holley building.
Authorities have also been unable to determine how the suspect initially entered the building or precisely where he went after fleeing the scene.
Police described the suspect as a male, possibly in his 30s, dressed in black.
Investigators are also reviewing video evidence that may show the suspect wearing a camouflage-style face covering, though that detail has not yet been fully confirmed.
The incident unfolded shortly after 4:20 p.m., when Brown University issued an emergency alert warning of an active shooter near the Barus and Holley Engineering Building.
Students, faculty, staff, and nearby residents were instructed to shelter in place, lock doors, silence mobile devices, and remain hidden.
The alert emphasized standard emergency guidance: evacuate only if it was safe to do so, hide if evacuation was not possible, and take defensive action only as a last resort.
At approximately 5:27 p.m., the university issued a follow-up alert reporting additional shots fired near Governor Street, about two blocks from the original scene.
Minutes later, the Providence Police Department confirmed that multiple people had been shot in the area surrounding the campus.
During an evening news conference, Providence Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara said investigators believe a firearm was used in the attack, though no weapon has been recovered and the type of firearm remains unknown.
Police confirmed there was no direct interaction between officers and the suspect, who fled on foot before law enforcement arrived.
Authorities also addressed reports of a separate police confrontation involving gunfire several blocks away.
Officials clarified that while that incident initially led to reports of a suspect being detained, investigators have not established a confirmed connection between that encounter and the Brown University shooting.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that no suspect is currently in custody and emphasized that Brown University officials, the Providence Police Department, and the FBI are working in close coordination to locate the individual responsible.
The Barus and Holley Engineering Building, constructed in 1965, houses classrooms, laboratories, offices, and lecture halls for the university’s engineering and physics departments and was occupied at the time due to scheduled exams.
As of the latest update, the shelter-in-place order remains in effect.
Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid the area while the investigation remains ongoing.
Officials have not released identifying information about the victims, citing respect for the families and the active nature of the investigation.