Officials say the suspected attacker Robin Westman died at the scene of a self-inflected gunshot wound
Two children were killed during the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church(Image: Getty Images)
Two children have been killed and 17 people injured after a shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The attack happened just before 8am local time on Wednesday when Robin Westman approached the side of the church at Annunciation Catholic School.
Children were celebrating mass during the first week of school, shooting dozens of rounds through the windows towards children sitting on the pews. The attacker then turned the gun on themselves, dying at the scene of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an “act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.” For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Here’s everything we know about what happened.
Who is the suspected attacker?
The attacker has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, from suburban Minneapolis, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said at a news conference
Armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol, Westman approached the side of the church and shot dozens of rounds through the windows towards the children sitting in the pews during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School just before 8.30am local time. A smoke bomb was also found at the scene.
The gunman then died by suicide.
People attended a vigil at Lynnhurst Park following the tragic shooting(Image: Getty Images)
It is understood that Westman’s mother may have worked at the school previously, but Mr O’Hara said police had not yet found any relationship between the gunman and the church, nor determined a motive for the bloodshed.
On a YouTube channel titled Robin W, the alleged gunman released at least two videos before the channel was taken down by site administrators on Wednesday. In one, the alleged gunman shows a cache of weapons and ammunition, some with such phrases as “kill Donald Trump” and “Where is your God?” written on them.
A second video shows the alleged gunman pointing to two outside windows in what appears to be a drawing of the church, and then stabbing it with a long knife. It was unclear when that video was uploaded to the channel.
The police chief said Westman did not have an extensive known criminal history and is believed to have acted alone.
Federal officials referred to Westman as transgender, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey decried hatred being directed at “our transgender community”.
Westman’s gender identity was not clear, reports AP. In 2020, a judge approved a petition, signed by Westman’s mother, asking for a name change from Robert to Robin, saying the petitioner “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification”.
Who are the victims?
The children who died in the “absolutely incomprehensible” act of violence were aged eight and 10, authorities said.
Fourteen other children, aged between six and 15, and three parishioners in their 80s were wounded but are expected to survive.
Fifth-grader Weston Halsne told reporters he ducked for the pews, covering his head, shielded by a friend who was lying on top of him. His friend was hit, he said.
“I was super scared for him, but I think now he’s okay,” the 10-year-old said, adding that he was praying for the others who were taken to hospital.
On Wednesday evening, hundreds prayed, wiped away tears and held each other during a packed vigil at a nearby school’s gym where Governor Tim Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar, along with Catholic clergy, joined the mourners.
Mr Waltz said President Donald Trump and his team had expressed their “deep condolences” and offered assistance.
He said the situation was “all too common – not just in Minnesota, but across the country”, adding that he hoped no community or school ever had to go through a day like this.
The President later ordered the US flag to be flown at half-mast on state and federal buildings, including the White House.
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