Tragic Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic School

UPDATE 12:15 PM: The 23-year-old shooter, identified as Robin Westman, opened fire during a morning Mass at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, killing two children and injuring at least 17 others.

A law enforcement official confirmed to media outlets that Westman, who sought to change his name from “Robert” to “Robin” in 2020, is the gunman in this horrifying incident.

During the attack, Westman fired through the stained glass windows, targeting worshippers at the church. Interestingly, local reports mentioned that his mother was involved with the school in some capacity.

Footage believed to be recorded by Westman prior to the shooting showed him displaying weapons and magazines on his bed, with disturbing messages like “kill Donald Trump” and “where is your God?” written on them. He seemed to have a fixation on high-profile shooters, including Adam Lanza from Sandy Hook.

Today’s tragedy unfolded at Annunciation Catholic School, which had just reopened for the academic year. The community was gathering for their usual Wednesday morning Mass when chaos erupted. The shooter, whose identity remained unknown initially, eventually took his own life after the attack.

Authorities reported that the shooting left two children, aged 8 and 10, dead, while 14 other children and three adults were injured, with some in critical condition. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the incident as “a deliberate act of violence,” expressing disbelief at the cruelty of targeting children in a place of worship.

Dr. Thomas Wyatt from Hennepin County Medical Center indicated that of the remaining patients—ranging from ages six to 14—four would require surgery. Fortunately, none of these patients have been declared deceased as of now.

As the news spread, support poured in from the community. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged everyone to rally around the grieving families, remarking on the immeasurable pain of the situation. He emphasized that these children were engaged in prayer during the tragic event.

In a moment of despair, local parent Chris Fream shared that he learned about the shooting via a text from his wife, who had been on lockdown at the school. The shock of the event left many trying to come to grips with the circumstances, with Fream stating he’s still processing everything.

In the wake of this horrific event, families have been reunited outside the school, and prayer has become a focal point for the community as they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy.