Two kindergarten students were shot at a private religious school in Northern California on Wednesday. The suspected shooter later died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as reported by authorities.

The shooting occurred around 1 p.m. local time at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Oroville, California, as stated by Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Butte County Sheriff’s Department responded to multiple 911 calls about an active shooter on the premises.

Upon arrival, deputies found a deceased adult male who appeared to have caused his own death by gunfire, along with a handgun located near him.

The deputies also found two boys aged 5 and 6 who had been shot. Honea mentioned that both were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment and remained in “extremely critical condition” by Wednesday evening.

“While I’m grateful they are still alive, the road to recovery will be long for them,” Honea indicated during a press briefing on Wednesday night.

After securing the school grounds, students were transported by bus to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene to be reunited with their families.

The Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists is a private K-8 religious institution that has been operational since 1965, with a current enrollment of only 33 students and five teachers, one of whom is the principal.

Located about 72 miles north of Sacramento, Oroville has a population exceeding 19,000 residents.

Assemblyman James Gallagher, representing Butte County, expressed deep sorrow for those affected by the tragedy, saying, “We may never fully comprehend why such acts occur. Today, our community will cherish our loved ones a bit more tightly as we pray for the victims and seek understanding of this senseless violence.”

This incident is part of a troubling trend of school shootings in the U.S. In recent years, numerous such events have led to national discussions on gun control, including the tragic Apalachee High School shooting earlier this year, which resulted in four fatalities and nine injuries.

Data from Education Week reveals that 36 school shootings causing injuries or deaths have taken place this year alone.

Authorities: Shooter May Have Targeted School Due to Religious Beliefs

Although they have identified the shooter, Sheriff Honea stated that they cannot disclose his name yet.

“This investigation is complicated, and we’ve requested help from the FBI,” added Honea. “We are in the process of interviewing individuals who were connected to him and dealing with other procedural matters before revealing his identity.”

Investigators are examining the suspect’s activities leading up to the shooting. He had made an appointment to meet with a school administrator about enrolling a family member, according to Honea.

Authorities are also exploring whether the suspect’s inquiry was genuine or if it was a ploy to access the school.

The shooter arrived at the school via Uber, and authorities have since located and interviewed the driver. The shooting took place after the suspect met with the school administrator.

Honea noted, “I was informed that the meeting was friendly, and there were no warning signs that raised concerns for the administrator.”

Investigators believe the suspect may have chosen the school specifically because of its association with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, although they maintain this shooting is an “isolated event.”

As a precaution, law enforcement agencies across California have been notified about the shooting and its potential link to the church.