Police report that the shooter at the Minneapolis church used guns that were bought legally to kill children.

Minneapolis Church Shooting Investigation

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara has confirmed that the firearms used by the shooter, Robin Westman, in the attack on a church school, were “legally purchased.” The incident resulted in the deaths of two Catholic school students and left 17 others injured.

O’Hara described Westman, who is 23 years old, as a “co-sick” and mentioned that students had recently returned to school. “The weapons involved included rifles, shotguns, and pistols, all obtained legally by the shooter,” he stated. “Currently, investigators believe that Westman acted alone—there are no signs pointing to other suspects involved in the attack.”

When pressed on where Westman acquired the firearms, O’Hara refrained from providing specifics, only saying that they had recently been purchased.

Details on the Shooter

Westman has been identified as the individual behind the shooting during Mass, which happened when he approached the church and fired through the windows at the congregation. The police chief reported that the assailant attacked children and churchgoers from outside the building.

Police are currently executing four search warrants: one at the church and three at nearby residences linked to Westman. O’Hara noted that additional firearms were recovered during these operations.

Earlier in the day, O’Hara recounted the harrowing scene during the church service. It’s unsettling to think about it, really. Gunfire was directed towards children seated near the front of the church, which adds, well, a tragic layer to the entire situation.

According to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agency, they have managed to trace the firearms found at the scene on that Wednesday, and shared the findings with relevant investigative teams.

Community Response

In the wake of the shooting, members of the community gathered at Lynhurst Park to mourn and seek solace amid the tragedy. It’s a heart-wrenching image, really, seeing people come together in such difficult times.