Crime
Athena Passidakis Abducted and Fatally Shot by Alvin Wilson in Apparent Murder-Suicide
CHICO, Calif. — The Chico Police Department has confirmed the identities of both the victim and suspect involved in a fatal kidnapping and shooting that unfolded on the morning of Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Butte County.
According to police, 21-year-old Athena Marie Passidakis was abducted at gunpoint by 25-year-old Alvin Almontelasha Wilson in the 2700 block of Eaton Road around 8:45 a.m.
Witnesses reported hearing a woman scream that she was being taken against her will, followed by the sound of a gunshot and a vehicle fleeing the area.
Investigators say that during the course of the kidnapping, Wilson discharged a handgun at Passidakis, then forced her into his vehicle.
While driving, he allegedly shot her again.
A short time later, prior to police intervention, Wilson is believed to have turned the weapon on himself, sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Responding officers quickly located the suspect vehicle near State Route 32 and Meridian Road and attempted a traffic stop.
The suspect failed to comply, initiating a police pursuit that ended in the 400 block of East 5th Avenue.
Chico Police were joined at the scene by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office and Chico State University Police.
Law enforcement deployed an armored rescue vehicle and used distraction devices in an attempt to safely resolve the situation and rescue the victim.
No officers discharged their firearms during the incident.
When officers safely approached the vehicle, they discovered both Passidakis and Wilson inside, each suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate medical aid from responding paramedics, both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Authorities have confirmed that Wilson was the perpetrator, and that he and Passidakis had previously been in a dating relationship.
The Chico Police Department stated there had been no prior police contact involving Wilson and no known history of criminal behavior prior to this incident.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Next of kin for both individuals have been notified.
The Chico Police Department is urging anyone with additional information to contact them directly as they continue to piece together the full circumstances of this tragic event.
The university shared resources for students who may be impacted by dating or domestic violence.
“It’s with deep sadness I share the news that health services administration major Athena Passidakis was killed Thursday in a shooting incident in Chico that police believe is connected to domestic violence.
Passidakis has been a member of our campus community since fall 2023 and was poised to graduate this spring. Her faculty describe her as well-liked and respected among her tightknit cohort. This semester, she served as an intern at Butte Home Health and Hospice.
According to professor Richard Narad, who taught Passidakis in three classes, she was a hardworking and dedicated student whose confidence grew immensely during her two years in the health services administration program. He noted her loss will be felt greatly among her peers.
If you have been impacted by dating or domestic violence or are looking for support, please know that help is available both on- and off-campus.
Crime
5 dead including 3 children in Silver Rail Elementary shooting in Bend, teenage shooter killed by a Good Samaritan
BEND, Ore. — Five people were reportedly killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in southeast Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, according to preliminary information attributed to federal law enforcement.
The reported shooting prompted a major emergency response involving police, fire crews, and emergency medical services.
Authorities issued an alert at approximately 1:17 p.m., warning of a large police presence at the elementary school and urging the public to avoid the area.
According to the information provided, four victims were killed at the school. Three of those victims were children, while the fourth was an adult. The suspected gunman, described in preliminary reports as a teenager, was also reported dead, bringing the reported total to five fatalities.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the identities of the victims and the suspect, had not been fully established in the information available.
Preliminary reports indicated that the suspected gunman was a teenager and was killed after being confronted by a Good Samaritan.
Earlier scanner traffic reportedly indicated that the suspect had been neutralized. Unconfirmed reports suggested that the individual who intervened may have been a father of a student at the school.
However, authorities had not publicly confirmed all the circumstances surrounding the confrontation or independently verified the reported identity and role of the person who intervened.
Investigators are expected to examine the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, how the suspect was stopped, and whether the suspect acted alone.
The first police alert was issued at approximately 1:17 p.m. Thursday. It described a large police presence at Silver Rail Elementary School and instructed the public to stay away from the area.
Fire and emergency medical services personnel were seen responding near the school as authorities worked to address the reported threat and assist those affected.
The shooting prompted urgent concern among families and the surrounding community, particularly after reports indicated that children were among the victims.
Approximately 10 minutes after the initial alert, police announced a reunification site for students and their families at Journey Church, located at 61303 S. Highway 97 in Bend, near Goodwill and Dairy Queen.
Parents and guardians were instructed to go to the designated location to reunite with students and receive further information.
Authorities urged families to follow official instructions and avoid approaching the school while emergency operations continued.
The reported shooting also prompted precautionary security measures at nearby schools. Parents received alerts indicating that Caldera High School and Jewell Elementary School had been placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon.
The lockdowns were reported as law enforcement responded to Silver Rail Elementary and worked to secure the surrounding area.
Further information was needed to establish how long the lockdowns remained in effect and when normal school operations resumed.
Although preliminary information indicated five deaths, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, additional official confirmation is needed regarding the victims’ identities, the suspect’s identity, and the circumstances of the shooting.
The reported involvement of a Good Samaritan also requires confirmation from investigators.
This remains a developing story. Further details should be added as law enforcement and school officials release verified information about the shooting and the investigation.