California school shooting: Two children hospitalised, suspected gunman dead

Two children were shot after a gunman opened fire at a California elementary school on Wednesday and later killed himself, according to the local sheriff's department.

The shooting occurred at Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Oroville, California.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea confirmed that his department responded to a shooting alert at approximately 1 pm (local time). The two injured students were taken to hospital with one requiring air transport. Their current medical status remains unclear.

"Two students sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to local hospitals for treatment," Megan McMann, a spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office told Reuters, adding that she did not know their conditions.

Initial investigations suggest the perpetrator had no apparent connection to the educational institution, which serves 35 students from kindergarten through 8th grade, according to ABC news citing Sheriff Honea.

Following the incident, authorities arranged for students to be transported to a nearby church for reunification with their families.

Taking to X, Butte County Sheriff said, "Parents are asked to respond to the church to be reunified with their children. The suspected shooter is deceased. We will provide additional information once it’s available."

The incident occurred in Palermo, situated approximately 65 miles north of Sacramento. Law enforcement continues their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.