Chico Library Shooting Suspect Was Inspired by Columbine, Police Say

A planned burn near the Oroville Airport in Butte County is set to take place on Wednesday, June 23, 2026, as part of an ongoing effort to mitigate wildfire risks in the region. The operation, conducted by local fire agencies and land management authorities, will target a designated area adjacent to the airport to clear dry vegetation and create a fuel break.

This controlled burn is intended to reduce the intensity and spread of potential wildfires during the upcoming fire season, which has become increasingly severe in California due to drought conditions and climate change.

The burn zone encompasses roughly 40 acres of grassland and brush, strategically chosen to protect the airport infrastructure and nearby residential communities. Officials have stated that the operation will only proceed if weather conditions, including wind speed and humidity, remain within safe parameters.

Smoke may be visible from surrounding areas, including the city of Oroville and parts of Butte County, but authorities have assured the public that the burn is carefully managed to minimize impacts on air quality and traffic.

Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed if smoke becomes heavy in their neighborhoods. The Butte County Air Quality Management District is monitoring the situation and will issue updates as needed.

The planned burn is part of a broader strategy by Cal Fire and local agencies to conduct prescribed burns throughout the state to reduce fuel loads and protect communities from catastrophic wildfires. Similar burns have been conducted in other parts of Butte County in recent years, with positive results in limiting fire damage.

The operation is scheduled to begin in the morning and may continue into the afternoon, depending on conditions. Emergency services are on standby, and no road closures are anticipated, though drivers near the airport should be cautious of reduced visibility due to smoke.

This proactive measure underscores the ongoing commitment to wildfire prevention in Butte County, which has experienced devastating fires in the past, including the Camp Fire in 2018.

An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a shooting at a Northern California library that left two people dead and one injured on Monday evening, authorities said. The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m.

at the Chico branch of the Butte County Library in Chico, California.

Police Chief Billy Aldridge confirmed that officers took the suspect, identified as Bradley Scott Sayer, into custody as he fled through the back of the library. Sayer is currently being held at the Butte County Jail on two counts of murder, according to the Chico Police Department.

According to law enforcement officials, Sayer was allegedly motivated by a desire to carry out a massacre similar to the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, in which two students killed 12 classmates and a teacher before taking their own lives. Investigators noted that Sayer was wearing clothing resembling that of Columbine shooter Eric Harris and is believed to be associated with an online fandom group of mass killers, which has been linked to previous shootings.

Officials believe he acted alone, driven by his obsession with the Columbine tragedy.

“The incident this evening was obviously very sad, traumatic for a lot of people,” Aldridge said during a news conference. “Very traumatic for our community.”

Police are withholding the names of the victims until their families have been notified. In addition to the two fatalities, a child was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, Aldridge added.

All branches of the Butte County Library will remain closed on Tuesday as the investigation continues.

The Chico Police Department is collaborating with the Butte County Sheriff's Office and the FBI in the ongoing investigation. Authorities have assured the public that there is no current danger, as the shooter is believed to have acted alone.

The suspect, Bradley Scott Sayer, was booked into Butte County Jail on suspicion of two counts of murder. Police stated there was no indication he had any prior relationship with or connection to the victims. A child was taken to the hospital with a minor injury. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI are assisting in the investigation.

The suspect reportedly wanted to commit a "Columbine High School massacre type of shooting." The adult victims were identified during the Butte County Board of Supervisors meeting June 23 as Jacob Hull, 46, of Chico, and a 74-year-old man whose next of kin authorities are still trying to locate. The shooting was first reported at 5:12 p.m. Officers arrived within minutes, entering through the front doors as the suspect exited through the back, where a perimeter had already been set. After the incident, the police chief described the first call made to law enforcement: "We had an open 911 line where you can hear gunshots and people screaming, and several Chico police officers responded to the active shooter incident at the library." Family reunification went underway at the Chico First Assembly of God Church. First Avenue was closed Monday night between Sheridan and Arbutus roads as law enforcement continued to investigate, with federal, state and local partners assisting. In a statement, county officials said they extend their condolences to everyone affected. In light of the shooting, all Butte County Library branches will be closed on Tuesday, June 23.

Two people are dead, not just injured, from the shooting. The suspect is identified as 18-year-old Bradley Scott Sayer of Chico, a recent high school graduate. The shooting occurred at 5:12 pm Monday at the Sherman Avenue branch of the Butte County Library. The suspect used a single firearm. Victims include 46-year-old Jacob Hull of Chico and an unnamed 74-year-old man. A child was also injured. The suspect fled out a back door and was taken into custody within minutes. Chico police Chief Billy Aldridge stated Sayer had no connection to the library or victims. The shooting is also compared to the 2019 Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting. A phone number for tips was provided.

Police in Butte County have revealed that the suspect arrested in connection with the shooting at the Chico library had planned to carry out a Columbine-style massacre. The suspect, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody after the incident that left multiple victims injured on June 23, 2026.

According to authorities, the suspect had meticulously planned an attack intended to cause mass casualties, mirroring the infamous 1999 Columbine High School shooting. The library, located in downtown Chico, was targeted as a public space where the suspect believed they could inflict maximum harm.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots before law enforcement arrived on the scene. Officers quickly subdued the suspect, preventing further loss of life.

Emergency medical teams treated the injured at the scene and transported them to local hospitals. Their conditions have not been publicly disclosed.

Butte County District Attorney's office confirmed that the suspect faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm. The investigation is ongoing as detectives work to uncover the full scope of the plot.

Community members have expressed shock and grief, with local leaders calling for increased mental health support and school safety measures. The Chico library remains closed as authorities continue their investigation.

Major safety upgrades are set to begin on school routes in Oroville starting June 29, according to officials. The project, managed by Butte County, aims to improve pedestrian and traffic safety near several schools in the area.

Construction will focus on crosswalks, sidewalks, and traffic signals to reduce risks for students walking or biking to school.

The upgrades come after community concerns about dangerous intersections and high traffic volumes during school hours. Butte County supervisors approved the plan earlier this year, allocating funds from state and local transportation grants.

The work will be phased to minimize disruption during the summer break, with completion expected before the next school year begins.

Specific locations include intersections near Oroville High School and Central Middle School, where new flashing beacons and improved signage will be installed. Additionally, sidewalks will be widened and repaved in key corridors to accommodate more pedestrians.

Officials urge drivers to obey temporary speed limits in construction zones and to watch for workers.

Residents have expressed support for the project, noting that past accidents near school zones highlighted the need for better infrastructure. The upgrades are part of a broader effort by Butte County to enhance safety on roads used by schoolchildren.

More details, including maps of affected routes, are available on the county's website.

Butte County Public Health will host a free rapid sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing event on Wednesday, June 26. The event aims to provide accessible and confidential testing services to residents, helping to reduce the spread of infections and promote sexual health awareness.

The testing will take place at the Butte County Public Health Department located at 202 Mira Loma Drive in Oroville. Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins will be accepted.

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Health officials emphasize that rapid testing offers quick results for common STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhea. All services are free and confidential, with no insurance required.

Educational materials and resources for further care will also be available.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by Butte County to address rising STI rates in the region. According to recent data, cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea have increased in the county over the past year.

Public health nurses will be on site to provide counseling and answer questions.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to prioritize their health. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Butte County Public Health at 530-552-2500.