Jesse Kitagawa Jr., a 45-year-old convicted felon, was arrested and charged with the unlawful sale of a handgun used in the devastating shooting at Feather River Adventist School in Oroville, California. The weapon, a Glock 19 “ghost gun,” was sold by Kitagawa to Glenn Litton, who used it in the tragic attack on December 4, 2024, which critically injured two young children before Litton fatally shot himself. Kitagawa’s arrest, which followed an extensive investigation led by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and the FBI, underscores the dangers of illegal firearms transactions and the need for continued efforts to combat gun violence.
I. The Feather River Adventist School Shooting: A Tragedy in Oroville
On December 4, 2024, the small community of Oroville, California, was rocked by an act of unimaginable violence when a gunman opened fire at Feather River Adventist School, a Seventh Day Adventist institution located on Cox Lane. The shooting occurred around 1:09 p.m., sending the school into chaos as students and faculty rushed to safety.
The shooter, 56-year-old Glenn Litton, critically wounded two kindergarten students, ages five and six, before turning the weapon on himself as law enforcement arrived on the scene. Tragically, the children were seriously injured but have since shown signs of recovery. However, the emotional and psychological toll on both the victims and the broader school community remains profound.
The circumstances surrounding Litton’s actions were chilling. Authorities quickly learned that Litton was a convicted felon, making it illegal for him to possess firearms. Despite this, he managed to obtain a Glock 19 handgun, which was later identified as a “ghost gun” — an untraceable firearm assembled from parts and lacking serial numbers.
II. The Investigation: Tracing the Gun’s Origins
Following the shooting, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the FBI, launched a comprehensive investigation to determine how Litton had acquired the weapon. Their efforts led to the discovery of a complex web of illegal firearms transactions that ultimately connected Litton to Jesse Kitagawa Jr.
The investigation revealed that the components for the Glock 19 ghost gun were originally owned by 77-year-old Steven Lyons of Buckeye, Arizona. In April 2024, Lyons legally purchased the firearm parts from the widow of its original owner. However, Lyons did not know that the firearm would later fall into the wrong hands.
After acquiring the parts, Lyons sold them to Jesse Kitagawa Jr. on April 8, 2024, for an undisclosed amount. Kitagawa, a convicted felon who was prohibited by law from purchasing or possessing firearms, presented a valid Arizona driver’s license and falsely assured Lyons that he was legally allowed to possess firearms. As a result, the sale was made without Lyons violating the law.
Kitagawa then proceeded to sell the fully assembled ghost gun to Glenn Litton on April 10, 2024, for $300. The two met in a motel in Chandler, Arizona, where the transaction took place. Litton, who had already been practicing with the gun at a Phoenix shooting range, later transported it back to California by Greyhound bus, where he used it in the horrific shooting at Feather River Adventist School.
III. Kitagawa’s Arrest and Legal Proceedings
On January 9, 2025, after months of investigation, BCSO detectives, with the help of the Phoenix Police Department, executed a search warrant at Kitagawa’s residence in Phoenix, Arizona. During the search, investigators uncovered evidence linking Kitagawa to the sale of the ghost gun to Litton. Additional evidence confirmed that Kitagawa had possessed firearms illegally as a felon, violating Arizona state law.
Kitagawa was arrested by Phoenix police and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. At his initial court hearing on January 10, 2025, a judge found probable cause for the charges and issued a bond. Kitagawa is currently awaiting further legal proceedings, with formal charges expected to be filed by the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office. No court date has been set yet.
Sheriff Kory Honea of the Butte County Sheriff’s Office expressed his gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the FBI and Phoenix Police Department in bringing Kitagawa to justice. He praised the dedication of BCSO detectives for their tireless work in tracing the origins of the ghost gun and ensuring accountability for those involved in the transaction.
“This arrest is an important step in holding accountable those who unlawfully assist individuals like Litton in carrying out horrific acts of violence,” Honea said in a statement. “We are committed to continuing our efforts to prevent future tragedies and ensuring that those responsible for this attack face the consequences of their actions.”
IV. The Role of “Ghost Guns” in Gun Violence
The tragic events at Feather River Adventist School have once again highlighted the dangers posed by “ghost guns.” These firearms, often assembled from parts purchased online, lack serial numbers and are difficult for law enforcement to trace. As a result, ghost guns have become increasingly popular among individuals prohibited from owning firearms, such as convicted felons.
The use of ghost guns in crimes, including mass shootings, has become a growing concern for law enforcement agencies across the country. Unlike traditional firearms, which are registered and tracked by serial numbers, ghost guns are nearly impossible to trace once they are assembled. This makes them an attractive option for those seeking to circumvent gun laws.
Federal and state lawmakers are under pressure to address the rise of ghost guns by introducing stricter regulations and enhancing penalties for those involved in their illegal sale and distribution. In California, lawmakers have already implemented measures aimed at curbing the use of ghost guns, including laws requiring individuals to register firearms assembled from parts and banning the sale of unfinished firearm kits.
Despite these efforts, the illegal trafficking of ghost guns continues to pose significant challenges for law enforcement. Experts believe that further action is necessary to close loopholes in gun laws and prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining untraceable firearms.
V. The Broader Implications of the Shooting
The arrest of Jesse Kitagawa is a key development in the ongoing investigation into the Feather River Adventist School shooting. However, the impact of the shooting continues to reverberate throughout the Oroville community and beyond. The trauma inflicted on the victims, their families, and the school staff will have lasting consequences, and the community is grappling with questions about how to prevent future tragedies.
In the wake of the shooting, Feather River Adventist School has provided counseling services for students, faculty, and parents affected by the violence. The school has also taken steps to strengthen security measures, including conducting drills to prepare for potential emergencies.
The broader issue of gun violence in schools has sparked renewed debates about the need for stronger gun control measures and improved safety protocols in educational settings. Advocates for stricter gun laws argue that the shooting could have been prevented if Litton had not been able to acquire a firearm through illegal channels. They call for enhanced background checks, restrictions on ghost gun sales, and increased investment in school safety programs.
At the same time, some have called for more support for mental health services, particularly for individuals like Litton, who may have been struggling with underlying issues that contributed to his violent actions. The tragic loss of life, combined with the senselessness of the attack, has left many questioning how society can better protect its most vulnerable — especially children.
VI. Law Enforcement Collaboration and Future Prevention
The arrest of Kitagawa illustrates the importance of interagency collaboration in tackling gun violence. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the FBI and the Phoenix Police Department, was able to trace the origins of the ghost gun used in the shooting and hold those responsible for facilitating the transaction accountable. Law enforcement agencies across the country continue to stress the importance of cooperation and information-sharing in addressing the growing problem of illegal firearms trafficking.
Moving forward, experts argue that comprehensive strategies are needed to combat gun violence. These strategies must include not only efforts to curtail the illegal sale of firearms but also greater emphasis on mental health support, community outreach, and prevention programs. Lawmakers and law enforcement officials must work together to implement policies that address the root causes of gun violence while also holding individuals accountable for their actions.
VII. Conclusion: Seeking Justice for the Victims
As the investigation into the Feather River Adventist School shooting continues, the arrest of Jesse Kitagawa is a crucial step in seeking justice for the victims of this senseless act of violence. The tragic loss of innocent lives, particularly the young children who were critically injured, has left the community heartbroken. However, the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to trace the origins of the ghost gun and bring those responsible to justice offer hope that such tragedies can be prevented in the future.
The arrest of Kitagawa underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for their role in the illegal sale and trafficking of firearms, particularly those that are untraceable and easily used in criminal activities. As law enforcement continues to work toward solving this case, the Feather River Adventist School shooting remains a stark reminder of the dangers of firearms in the wrong hands and the urgent need for stronger gun control measures across the nation.
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