A shooting at the Annunciation Church in Minneapolis resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 17 others. The FBI is investigating the incident as a potential anti-Catholic hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the attack, which occurred during a Mass on a Wednesday morning, involved a shooter who fired into the church through the windows. The victims were identified as an eight-year-old and a ten-year-old.
The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police have stated that this event appears to be a deliberate act targeting worshippers. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara emphasized the deliberate nature of the violence and assured that the investigation would follow all leads.
Details surrounding the shooting indicate that the attacker used three firearms: a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol, and a smoke bomb was reportedly found at the scene. Witnesses reported hearing multiple shots, and one nearby resident described hearing a series of gunfire. Police are currently investigating whether the shooter fired solely from outside the building, as no bullet casings were discovered inside.
A ten-year-old survivor recounted how a friend saved him during the attack by lying on top of him, though the friend sustained injuries and was hospitalized. The Annunciation Church, which serves children aged 5 to 14, faces a community in mourning.
Additionally, it has been revealed that Westman’s mother worked at the school until 2021, and a note from Westman was reportedly set to be published at the time of the shooting. Statements from public officials, including Pope Leo XIV and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have expressed condolences. The situation has raised discussions about violence in schools and communities across the nation.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7760x87r4po?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss