The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America is profoundly saddened following the shooting at the Feather River Seventh-day Adventist School on December 4. We pray for the entire school family and community as they grapple with this senseless violence. We ask that all people, no matter their faith, join us in prayer for everyone affected.

We are fully supportive of our Adventist leadership in the Northern California Conference as they work closely with local authorities to address this tragedy. All levels of ministry are engaged in supporting members of our church and others in the community who are in crisis. We also wish to express our gratitude to the first responders, and for the competence and compassion of the local sheriff — who will lead a press conference with other local leaders this afternoon — and his team. We anticipate updates to continue to come from this official channel.

Again, we urge our members and others to be prayerful and to help protect the privacy of this small, close-knit community during this very difficult time.

— G. Alexander Bryant, president, North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

* December 4, 2024, Statement from the Northern California Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church:

 We are deeply saddened by the events that occurred today.

Our students, faculty, and staff at Feather River have been reunited with their families. Two of our students are being treated for their injuries. Join us as we lift up these children and their families in prayer. Today, the Northern California Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will close its schools to allow everyone to spend time with their families. 

We are grateful for the brave officers of the Butte County Sheriff's Department who acted quickly to protect our students. We will continue to work closely with Sheriff Kory Honea and his team during this investigation.

We will maintain an open line of communication with you as more information becomes available.

This statement was originally released on the North American Division website.