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Hundreds gathered at fundraiser for Oroville shooting victims

Attendees at a fundraiser for the victims of the Feather River Adventist School shooting mingled just before city, county and religious leaders gave speeches and led prayers on Dec. 9, 2024 in Oroville, Calif.
Attendees at a fundraiser for the victims of the Feather River Adventist School shooting mingled just before city, county and religious leaders gave speeches and led prayers on Dec. 9, 2024 in Oroville, Calif.

A fundraising event was held Monday evening to help families of the two children wounded during a shooting at a Feather River Adventist School in Oroville last week.

A $5 or more donation allowed attendees to grab a bowl of chili to eat alongside neighbors and family. Residents lined up out the door of the Southside Oroville Community Center to get their food.

City, county and religious leaders made speeches to the audience and led prayers.

City council member Shawn Webber organized the event. He said when he heard the news of the shooting, he felt helpless, but later used his resources to gather local leaders.

“For us to rally as a community like we've seen tonight with this demonstration of hundreds upon hundreds of people coming out and supporting this is just an absolute punch back at the violation that took place in our community with the evil that stepped in,” Webber said.

Some organizers estimated between 150 to 400 people had filtered through the community center to give their support.

"I stopped counting at 260 and there was another at least 100 people in line,” said Levi Kniss, who worked the event. “My best guess would be between 350 and 400 at least.”

"It's a sad, tragic thing, but it's just great to see the community show up and show support for the family in need."
Damon Braccia, Oroville resident

Oroville residents who stopped by were happy to see their community gather for this cause, including Damon Braccia.

“It's a sad, tragic thing, but it's just great to see the community show up and show support for the family in need,” Braccia said.

His wife, Katrina, encouraged her community to keep up the support.

“Keep coming together in times when we really need it,” she said. Like tonight, because we want to stand strong.”

On Dec. 4, kindergarteners Elias Wolford and Roman Mendez were playing in the school’s playground when they were shot by a gunman.

As of Friday, the Sheriff’s Office says, both victims have come out of successful surgeries but are still in critical condition.

The fundraiser comes after a vigil that was attended by hundreds on Friday ahead of the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting.

Several fundraisers have been set up to help the families for what officials say will be a long road to recovery for both boys.

Erik began his role as NSPR's Butte County government reporter in September of 2023 as part of UC Berkeley's California Local News Fellowship. He received his bachelor's degree in Journalism from Cal State LA earlier that year.