The individual who opened fire during a Catholic school Mass on Wednesday has been identified by authorities as someone in their early 20s, leaving behind online videos containing writings that mentioned suicide.
Multiple senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter told NBC News the person who is responsible for the shooting is Robin Westman.
Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after shooting a rifle through church windows from the side of the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis towards children seated in the pews during a morning Mass, according to officials.
Two children are dead, aged 8 and 10, and 17 others — including 14 children — were injured in the mass shooting, authorities have said.
The police have publicly stated that the suspect has a minor criminal history and is in their early 20s. Documentation for a name change for the suspect, who previously went by a different name, indicates they were 23 years old.
NBC News has verified with law enforcement officials informed about the case that the suspect left behind videos uploaded online with writings alluding to suicide, “extremely violent thoughts and ideas,” an apology to their family, and a handwritten drawing of a church’s interior layout. It remains uncertain if this church was the one at Annunciation Catholic School.
The city of Minneapolis said there is no active threat at this time.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
