A gunman fired a rifle through the windows of a Catholic church in Minneapolis on Wednesday, hitting several of the nearly 200 children there during the first week of school. The shooting left two minors dead and 17 injured. The police chief called it a “completely unimaginable” crime.
According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara, 23-year-old Robin Westman, armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, approached the church building and opened fire on children inside Annunciation Catholic School during morning services. The attack occurred around 8:30 a.m. local time. The attacker committed suicide after the attack.
According to law enforcement agencies, the ages of the deceased were 8 and 10 years old. Among the injured were 14 children and three parishioners over 80 years old; the condition of all the wounded is assessed as stable.
That evening, hundreds of residents gathered in a nearby school gymnasium for a vigil. Attendees prayed, wiped away tears, and hugged each other. Governor Tim Walz, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Catholic clergy joined the mourning event.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda drew attention to the inscription at the entrance to the Church of the Annunciation: “House of God and gate of heaven.” “How could such a terrible tragedy happen in a place that is called the house of God and the gate of heaven? It is impossible to comprehend,” he said.
Fifth-grader Weston Halsne recalled how he huddled against the benches during the shooting, covering his head while a friend covered him with his body. According to the boy, his friend was wounded. “I was really worried about him, but now I think he’s out of danger,” the 10-year-old said, adding that he continues to pray for the other victims.
The child's grandfather, Michael Simpson, admitted that the bloody events during the service made him question divine providence. “I don't know where He was at that moment,” the man commented.
FBI Director Cash Patel said on Platform X that the investigation is being conducted under articles on domestic terrorism and a crime motivated by hatred of Catholics.
Mr O'Hara said there was no link between the attacker and the religious institution, and no motive had been identified. However, investigators were reviewing social media posts that allegedly showed the preparations for the attack.
“The monstrous cruelty and inhumanity of the shooting at a church filled with children defies rational explanation,” a police spokesman said, adding that the ages of the injured children ranged from 6 to 15. Barricaded exits and a smoke bomb were found at the scene.
The YouTube channel Robin W, owned by the suspect, posted at least two videos before it was blocked by the platform's administration. One showed an arsenal of weapons with the captions “Kill Donald Trump” and “Where is your God?” In another video, an unknown person pointed to a schematic image of church windows, after which he stabbed them with a knife. The exact time of the publication of the materials is not known.
Westman's uncle, former Kentucky Assemblyman Bob Helleringer, said he had little contact with his nephew and was shocked by the “indescribable tragedy.”
Law enforcement agencies confirmed that the attacker had no serious criminal history and suggested that he acted alone.
Federal authorities identified Westman as transgender. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned hate speech directed at “members of the transgender community.”
The issue of the perpetrator's gender identity remains controversial. According to court documents from 2020, the court granted the mother's request to change her name from Robert to Robin, citing the applicant's female self-identification.
The police quickly arrived at the scene, provided first aid and evacuated the children who were hiding in the building.
City officials and school officials praised the courageous actions of teachers and students. “Children were covered. Adults were covering students. Older students were protecting younger students,” said Principal Matt DeBoer.
The mother of one of the injured eighth-graders, Danielle Gunter, said her son particularly appreciated the help of a police officer, who not only provided medical assistance but also emotional support to the teenager before he was taken to the hospital.
Throughout the day, students in dark green uniforms left the school under the protection of law enforcement officers, saying goodbye to their families with long hugs.
Governor Walz expressed regret that the start of the school year for children was marred by “an encounter with evil, horror, and death.” He and President Donald Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at state and federal buildings. The White House confirmed the call between the leaders.
Recall that Mr. Walz previously ran for vice president as a Democratic candidate, competing against incumbent Vice President J.D. Vance, a Trump ally.
Pope Leo XIV sent condolences from the Vatican. The first American-born pontiff, a Chicago native, assured that he was praying for the families of the victims.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
