Home

Criminal Justice
Police suspect Chico library shooter was an attempted Columbine ‘copycat’

Police suspect Chico library shooter was an attempted Columbine ‘copycat’

Two victims who suffered fatal shots are identified
Late in the afternoon on June 22, officials say Bradley Sayer donned a white T-shirt painted with the words “Natural Selection” — a reference to a Columbine High School gunman — and walked into Butte County Library’s Chico branch. Sayer is accused of the shotgun killing of two patrons — Robert Johnson, 74, and Jacob Hull, 46. A young girl …

Anxiety, fear & grief in Chico

Michele Klassy watched from her house — near Hooker Oak Elementary School’s soccer field — as the Chico branch of the Butte County Library was built.

“I’ve watched people come and go over the years. And now all of a sudden you have this kind of a tragedy that’s so unexpected. I’m very sad,” Klassy told ChicoSol from her front porch the morning of June 23.

Read sidebar by Yucheng Tang here.

En Español

Guía de Recursos Locales

Subscribe to The Little Sun

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, The Little Sun, to get notified about new content and hear directly from our writers.

You can also sign up using this link.

Latest News

Special Projects
Investigative reporting recognized statewide

Investigative reporting recognized statewide

Criminal Justice
Shooting at Chico library leaves 2 dead, child injured

Shooting at Chico library leaves 2 dead, child injured

Politics
Gallagher's bill could void referendum blocking Valley's Edge

Gallagher’s bill could void referendum blocking Valley’s Edge

Politics
Chico moves toward allowing commercial cannabis cultivation

Chico moves toward allowing commercial cannabis cultivation

Politics
FPPC complaints bring turmoil

FPPC complaints bring turmoil

En Español
Los recortes al programa SNAP amenazan la seguridad alimentaria en comunidades vulnerables

Los recortes al programa SNAP amenazan la seguridad alimentaria en comunidades vulnerables

Community Calendar

July 7, 6:00pm Chico City Council
Location: 421 Main St, Chico, CA 95928, USA
July 21, 6:00pm Chico City Council
Location: 421 Main St, Chico, CA 95928, USA
July 28, 9:00am Butte County Board of Supervisors
Location: 25 County Center Dr suite 205, Oroville, CA 95965, USA
August 4, 6:00pm Chico City Council
Location: 421 Main St, Chico, CA 95928, USA
August 18, 6:00pm Chico City Council
Location: 421 Main St, Chico, CA 95928, USA

Special Projects

In Brief
ChicoSol recognized for 'solutions journalism'

ChicoSol recognized for ‘solutions journalism’

Yucheng Tang’s 2025 report on Butte County’s mental health diversion program “is a great example of solutions journalism,” according to …
Criminal Justice
Judge issues tentative ruling in public records dispute

Judge issues tentative ruling in public records dispute

Butte County Superior Court Judge Stephen Benson has taken under consideration a request for revisions to his tentative ruling that …

Support Our Work

Support fearless, independent community journalism by donating today.

ChicoSol depends on reader support for its in-depth and investigative reporting. Your support—at any level—keeps us free of paywalls and corporate sponsors. Thank you!

Give Now

Donations to ChicoSol are handled by the North Valley Community Foundation.

Reader Comments

Jun 23
“Thank you, ChicoSol, for covering this heartbreaking event in our town. The .feeling that.” it could never happen here.” has become “it can happen here”. What a sad world we live in,…”
Emily Alma on Police suspect Chico library shooter was an attempted Columbine ‘copycat’
Jun 23
“Congratulations Dave Waddell! Your recognition is well-deserved. You are shining a light on corrupt, insular, appalling law enforcement abuses in Chico. The cowardly local media praises the police while the small but…”
Scott Rushing on Waddell honored with Freedom of Information Award
Jun 19
“The defendants’ covert efforts to overturn Judge Benson’s ruling were ultimately constrained by legal requirements. Judge Benson’s decision was consistent with the California Public Records Act, although this compliance occurred only after…”
Scott Rushing on Final ruling in public records lawsuit
Jun 19
“Excellent article that covers the history and the legal and environment concerns. Could this be an opportunity for compromise? Fire danger and water issues are huge and could provide a point of…”
Brooks thorlakssom on Gallagher’s bill could void referendum blocking Valley’s Edge

Our Partners

We would like to thank Bonfire Storytelling, KIXE and KZFR for their ongoing support. To become a ChicoSol Partner, please email ch**********@***il.com.

Our Memberships

ChicoSol is a member of

We are grateful for support from California Local News Fellowship and Report for America.