Police search for motive behind Minneapolis school shooting that killed two children and injured 17 people

Authorities are searching for a motive behind a school shooting in Minneapolis that killed two children, aged eight and 10, and injured 17 more people. The attack took place as the victims were attending a morning Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School church. Among the injured there are 14 minors, two of whom are in serious condition, according to police. The other three victims were parishioners in their 80s.

The attacker, a 23-year-old without a criminal record who has been identified as Robin Westman, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound life after firing “dozens of rounds” at the congregants through a church window. Authorities believe the attacker acted alone.

“We don’t have a motive at this time,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara on Wednesday evening. Investigators are sifting through the shooter’s social media posts for clues, and have found a “manifesto” with videos of diary entries that talk about killing children and contain a drawing of the sanctuary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, the police said. The assailant graduated from the school in 2017, according to a yearbook obtained by CNN. This same outlet reported that Westman’s mother had worked at Annunciation from 2016 to 2021.

The attack occurred while students were attending a religious service in the church to mark the start of the school year. The assailant was carrying three firearms, the Minneapolis Police Chief stated. The attacker had tampered with one of the doors to prevent his victims from escaping.

“There are no words that can capture the horror,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey at a press conference on the shooting.

“During the mass, a gunman approached on the outside, on the side of the building and began firing a rifle through the church windows, towards the children sitting in the pews,” said O’Hara. “This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping. The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.”

Police officers responded immediately to try to neutralize the attacker and rescue the children trapped inside. “Two young children, ages eight and 10 were killed where they sat in the pews,” O’Hara added.

“These children were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church. These are kids who should be learning with their friends, they should be playing in the playground. They should be able to go to school or church in peace, without fear or risk of violence. And their parents should have the same kind of assurance,” said Frey.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed his sorrow over the incident, which took place during the first week of classes. “The BCA and State Patrol are on scene. I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence,” he shared in a post on X.

The shooting occurred two days after classes began at this private elementary school, which has approximately 395 students. The school is connected to Annunciation Catholic Church, and both are located in a residential area southeast of Minnesota’s largest city.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that he has been “fully briefed” on the tragedy. “The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene,” he posted. “The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation.”

The White House confirmed that the president and the governor of Minnesota spoke by phone after the incident.

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