Authorities in Minneapolis identified the shooter who killed two children and injured more than a dozen more. The shooting happened Wednesday morning at a church as young students from a nearby Catholic school were having mass.
According to local news station KARE 11, police officials told them the shooter was identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, formerly Robert Westman. Court documents state Westman requested a name change, and it was later approved in 2020. According to the application, Westman identified “as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”
The FBI announced it would be investigating the shooting as a hate crime targeting Catholics.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Westman approached the Annunciation Church and shot through a window of the church, striking several people inside. Westman shot 19 people during the attack, 14 of whom were children. At least two of the injured children are in critical condition.
The children killed in the attack were 8 and 10 years old. Police said Westman shot them as they were sitting in the pews.
“Our city experienced an unthinkable tragedy,” O’Hara said. “This was a deliberate act of violence against children.”
Authorities said Westman was armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol. They said they believe she used all three in the attack. They also believed Westman took her life before being confronted by the police. According to KARE, Westman’s mother retired from the school in 2021.
“The sheer cruelty and cowardice — firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” O’Hara said.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also spoke during the press conference, offering his condolences and prayers to the families affected and the community.
“To the families that are suffering, to those that have experienced loss. I’m so deeply sorry,” he said.
Before the press conference, NBC News reported that a Children’s Minnesota spokesperson stated the hospital is treating at least six children.
“Children’s Minnesota is aware of the recent tragic shooting in Minneapolis. Our teams are trained to respond in times of crisis, and are fully prepared to care for impacted children,” the hospital said in a statement. “We will not share more details to respect the privacy of our patients and families.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on social media shortly after learning about the event, saying he was briefed about the shooting and said it was the first week of school.
“I’ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will continue to provide updates as we get more information,” he said. “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.”
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the DHS is monitoring the situation and offered her prayers in a statement she released.
Annunciation Catholic School teaches students from pre-K to eighth grade.
The shooting follows a violent 12 hours in Minneapolis. Before the shooting, there were three deadly shootings in the city. In the most recent shooting, a person killed one man and injured another just after 2 a.m., according to NBC News.
Reported school shootings have increased in the last week as schools begin classes following the summer break. At least six universities across the country have reported school shooting hoaxes, including Villanova University.
This is a developing story, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.