Authorities are investigating the motive behind a heavily-armed shooter’s attack on schoolchildren during a church service in Minneapolis on Wednesday. The tragedy resulted in two children dead and 17 injured, marking another violent incident in the U.S.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that the shooter fired into the Annunciation Church windows, where numerous students were attending a Mass celebrating their return to school.
Located beside a Catholic school in Minnesota’s largest city, the church gathered hundreds for victim vigils on Wednesday evening.
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“Two children, aged eight and ten, were killed in their pews,” O’Hara stated. Fourteen injured children are expected to recover, in addition to three wounded elderly parishioners.
The shooter used a rifle, shotgun, and pistol before committing suicide in the parking lot, with police confirming the recent legal purchase of these weapons.
A 10-year-old survivor credited his friend’s brave protection for his survival.
“I hid under the pew and covered my head,” he told CBS. “My friend Victor saved me by shielding me, but he was hit.”
A statement from the school’s principal and pastor highlighted the swift action of staff moving students to safety.
‘Investigating Domestic Terrorism’
This mass shooting adds to the series of deadly school assaults in the U.S., where gun control faces legislative hurdles.
FBI Director Kash Patel noted the investigation as “domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics.”
Patel identified the shooter as “Robin Westman, originally Robert Westman.”
Westman, 23, legally changed names in 2020 and identified as female, according to court documents.
In a post on X, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the shooter as “claiming to be transgender” and labeled the attack “unthinkable.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey cautioned against blaming the transgender community and discussed gun ownership issues.
“Those using this incident to target the trans community or others lack humanity,” Frey said.
“With more guns than people in this country, we can’t ignore the cycle of violence.”
Victims’ Vigil
Over 600 attendees mourned the victims at a nearby school vigil on Wednesday night, reported the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Louise Fowler, a participant, recalled knowing the suspect’s mother during her time working at the church.
“The family supported a child with many challenges,” she said of Robin Westman, a former student.
The shooter had posted videos with a manifesto and firearm sketches online.
Police Chief O’Hara mentioned the manifesto’s disturbing content, which has been removed.
“We currently lack a motive,” O’Hara added, noting ongoing searches at residential sites.
The attack was met with sorrow and condemnation from figures including President Donald Trump, who ordered U.S. flags at the White House to half-staff.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda emphasized the need to end gun violence, citing a similar shooting nearby just the day before.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 287 mass shootings in the U.S. this year, defined by at least four victims.
