Investigators say that the attacker who opened fire on pupils as they were praying at a church in Minneapolis was obsessed with the idea of killing children.
Robin Westman, who killed two children and injured 18 others, did not seem to have any specific motive, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.
The attacker appeared to hate all of us, the chief said on Thursday, adding: More than anything, the shooter wanted to kill children.
The murdered children have been identified by family as Fletcher Merkel, eight, and Harper Moyski, 10.
Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us, his father, Jesse Merkel, told reporters.
In a statement shared through local news channels, Fletcher's father emphasized the joys of life his son had and urged parents to cherish their children. Meanwhile, Harper Moyski's parents described their daughter as a bright and joyful child whose spirit impacted everyone she met. They're advocating for action to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Officials have released few details so far about the suspect's background, but they noted that Westman had once attended the church's school and had familial ties to it.
The 23-year-old suspect approached the side of the Annunciation Church, which also houses a school, and fired dozens of shots through the windows using three firearms. A smoke bomb was also found at the scene.
Witnesses are recounting the horrors, describing the panic and chaos as children fled the sanctuary, some bleeding and calling for help.
The shooter died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A manifesto left behind contained disturbing expressions of hate towards various groups, and authorities are working to uncover more about the motivations behind this heinous act.
FBI Director Kash Patel characterized the attack as an act of domestic terrorism driven by a hate-filled ideology. Local lawmakers, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, are voicing the urgent need for stricter gun control measures, stressing that children should not have to live in fear of such violence.
This tragic event has revived debates over gun violence in the U.S. and has left the community in deep sorrow.
