Butte County faces a long road to healing after the school shooting

PALERMO, Calif. – A Butte County community must now turn to healing after a school shooting left two kindergarten students in “extremely critical condition.”

Crisis counselors, victim advocates and faith leaders have already begun working with children and families at Feather River School in Palermo to help them process what happened.

Part of that support comes from the Butte County District Attorney’s Office. District Attorney Mike Ramsey highlighted some of the challenges they face.

“Not just the children who were seriously injured, but also the children who saw their classmates shot in front of their eyes,” he said.

With the school campus becoming a crime scene, 35 students were eventually taken to the Oroville Church of the Nazarene to reunite with their family.

“We’re in a parking lot. Parents come in, jump out of their cars, trying to get information. They are driven by fear and anxiety,” said Pastor Travis Marshall.

But even after reunification, the children’s sense of security will be shaken, says Dr. Andrew Mendonsa, clinical psychologist.

“You haven’t learned to really fear such things at this young age, have you?” In kindergarten and first and second grade, the entire foundation and what they had believed to be true their entire lives was turned on its head,” Dr. Mendonsa said.

He said it will be important for parents, teachers and counselors to help restore a sense of safety to students.

He added that it could take weeks, months or even years for children to process this and that healing is a long road.

Butte County school shooting: Update at 8 p.m