FBI Probes Minneapolis School Shooting as Alleged 'Anti-Catholic Hate Crime'

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An unfortunate incident occurred at a Minneapolis Catholic school, where a shooter opened fire during a church service, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to 17 others, according to authorities.

During a mass at the Annunciation Catholic School, the attacker shot through the chapel windows at students before taking his own life, officials stated. The tragic loss included two children, aged 8 and 10.

“This was a heinous act of violence aimed at innocent children and congregants. The heartless act of firing into a church full of children is beyond comprehension,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara conveyed to the press.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced the investigation is treating this as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics.

The shooting incident at the Annunciation Catholic School, which has approximately 395 enrolled students, marked the 146th such event in the U.S. since January, as recorded by the K-12 School Shooting Database.

What we know about the attacker

Patel identified the attacker as Robin Westman, who, according to public records, was a 23-year-old resident of the area. Court records show Westman’s name was changed from Robert Westman in 2020 on the grounds that they identified as female.

Officials said the shooter did not have an extensive criminal history and said they were still trying to identify a motive.

Public records showed Westman’s mother, Mary Westman, had worked as an administrative assistant at the Annunciation Church.

A crowd gathered outside a church after a shooting incident. There's a row of vehicles in the foreground.

In Minnesota, the rate of deaths by gun violence is lower than the national average, based on data from Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun violence prevention organization. Source: AP / Bruce Kluckhohn

How the attack unfolded

Officials said the shooter fired dozens of rounds, using a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol. At least two of the chapel doors had been barricaded from the outside using planks, O’Hara said.

Local hospitals said they were treating 14 children and two adults, with many suffering gunshot wounds.

Fifth grader Weston Halsne told CBS News his friend was hit by a bullet while trying to protect him.

“The shots were like, right next to me,” Halsne said. “I think I got like gunpowder on my neck.”

Officials said they found a smoke bomb at the scene and were searching a vehicle in the parking lot.

The investigation so far

Police vehicles were stationed at a house identified by public records as Westman’s residence, several kilometres south of the school.

Law enforcement was investigating multiple online videos posted by the shooter, according to one law enforcement source familiar with the investigation.

Officials noted that this attack did not appear to be connected to three other shootings in Minneapolis over the previous day, including one at a Jesuit high school, which resulted in three fatalities.

Public response to the attack

Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey said at a news conference: “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church.”

US President Donald Trump ordered the US flag to be flown at half-staff nationwide as a sign of mourning.

Flags lowered to half-mast on the White House roof.

Flags were lowered to half-mast at the White House for the victims of the shooting. Source: PA, ABACA / Pool

Pope Leo XIV said he was “profoundly saddened” by the shooting incident.

The pontiff — the first American to head the Catholic Church — sent his condolences to “those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child”, according to a statement put out by the Vatican.