Family offers update on kindergartner injured in California school shooting. ‘Smile on his face’
One of the kindergartners wounded in a school shooting last month in Butte County is making strides toward his recovery and has recently moved both of his legs.
Debbie Wolford, the grandmother of Elias Wolford — one of two boys injured in the Dec. 4 shooting at Feather River Adventist School in Oroville — offered the positive update Tuesday morning. She shared that Elias can now hold himself in a sitting position, kick with his left leg and has slight movement in his right leg.
“These improvements give us hope, and we’re praying for continued strength and recovery for both legs,” Debbie Wolford wrote. “We understand that this might be a long road.”
The family previously expressed concerns over the child not regaining full use of his legs. Elias, 5, has undergone multiple surgeries since he and Roman Mendez, 6, were shot. Mendez was released from the UC Davis Medical Center on Dec. 20, according to a GoFundMe page.
Glenn Litton wounded both boys after meeting with the school’s principal under the pretense of enrolling his grandson. Litton, who had an extensive criminal history, then fatally shot himself.
Authorities announced on Tuesday that Litton bought the gun from a convicted felon in Arizona.
The Wolford family also said they see glimpses of Elias’s joyful spirit return. They expressed gratitude toward people who have contributed to the GoFundMe page created to raise money for the costs associated with Elias’ medical bills and recovery.
“We are just so incredibly grateful that Elias has a smile on his face and is making a journey to recovery,” Elias’ aunt Tawnee Preisner wrote in a Facebook message to The Sacramento Bee.
This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 10:25 AM.
