A 56-year-old man shot and critically wounded two kindergartners at a Christian school in Oroville, California. Authorities obtained the shooter’s writings, which revealed his motive: “Countermeasure involving child executions has now been imposed at the Seventh-Day Adventist school in California, United States by the International Alliance. Lieutenant [shooter’s name] of the Alliance, carried out countermeasure in necessitated response to America’s involvement in Genocide and Oppression of Palestinians along with attack towards Yemen.”

Authorities found no evidence of this “International Alliance.” The shooter had a lengthy criminal record including convictions for theft, fraud, and forgery in the 1990s and early 2000s, as well as a juvenile record. Just last month, he was arrested for stealing a U-Haul truck but was released on November 21st. He was homeless and moved between the Chico and Sacramento areas.

Days before the shooting, he contacted the school to discuss enrolling his grandson. After meeting with the principal, he opened fire on the playground, wounding 6-year-old Roman Mendez and 5-year-old Elias Wolford, both of whom remain in critical condition. Mendez suffered two gunshot wounds resulting in internal injuries, while Wolford was shot once in the stomach, also causing internal injuries. The shooter then turned the gun on himself.

In 2002, following an arrest for identity theft, a search of his home and computer revealed searches for firearms and explosives, leading investigators to believe he was planning a larger attack. His 1991 prison sentence stemmed from marijuana cultivation and petty theft.

The shooter’s justification, however distorted, points to the influence of extremist ideologies. This is particularly concerning considering the increasing use of inflammatory rhetoric, often from left-wing sources, that frames political opponents as enemies and justifies violence against them. Such rhetoric creates a climate of animosity that can radicalize individuals and inspire acts of violence, demonstrating a clear link between extreme rhetoric and real-world consequences. While the shooter’s motivations remain complex, the potential for violent extremism fueled by political rhetoric cannot be ignored.