A shooting incident at a Minneapolis church has resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 18 others. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated that the attacker, identified as Robin Westman, was reportedly fixated on harming children, although no specific motive for the attack has been determined.
The victims, eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and ten-year-old Harper Moyski, were identified by their families. In a statement, Fletcher’s father expressed profound grief, urging others to remember his son for who he was rather than the circumstances of his death. Harper Moyski’s family described her as a bright and joyful child whose loss has left them shattered. They called for action to prevent further gun violence.
The 23-year-old suspect had previously attended the church’s school, and her mother had worked there. Westman approached the church and fired dozens of shots using three firearms, leaving behind a smoke bomb. Witnesses reported children fleeing the scene, some visibly injured and pleading for help.
Authorities reported that Westman had posted hateful comments against various groups, including references to anti-Catholic sentiments and violent messages aimed at public figures. After the attack, she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. While officials noted she expressed a generalized hate, they acknowledged that a clear motive might never be established.
Local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have called for legislation to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines and assault weapons, stating the necessity for regulatory changes to prevent similar events.
Investigators confirmed that the firearms used were legally purchased, and that Westman had no prior mental health issues or diagnoses on record. This event has intensified discussions around gun control and school safety in the United States.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g0lyny7ydo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss