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.