The gunman who opened fire on children attending mass at a Minneapolis Catholic school, killing two pupils aged eight and 10, has been identified as Robin Westman, 23.
Westman shot through stained glass windows at children sitting in the pews inside Annunciation Catholic School’s church at approximately 8:30am local time on Wednesday before turning the gun on himself, according to police.
The attack left 17 others injured – 14 children and three adults – as students attended an all-school mass marking their first week of the new academic year at the Catholic grade school, which teaches pupils from kindergarten through eighth grade.
The shooter’s identity was confirmed by local outlet KSTP, with officials saying they are investigating his motive. Police said Westman had no extensive criminal history.
A disturbing discovery emerged as investigators found a now-deleted YouTube account believed to belong to Westman had shared what appeared to be a manifesto just hours before the shooting. Police are examining the disturbing 20-minute video, according to The New York Post.
The YouTube page appeared to show a drawing of the school’s church. In the chilling footage, a man can be seen stabbing the drawing repeatedly whilst quietly saying “I’m going to kill myself.”
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed the shooter fired “a rifle through the church windows towards the children sitting in the pews at the mass,” describing it as a “deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping.”
A heartbroken parent who attended the mass told The Star Tribune that the gunman fired “50 to 100 shots” as students and staff sat in pews, adding that he “killed two kids.” The witness’s account underscores the prolonged nature of the attack on the defenceless congregation.
Police said Westman parked his vehicle near the school, which will be examined as part of their investigation into the attack. The shooter was armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol when he approached the building from outside.
“The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” Chief O’Hara told reporters at a press conference. “This was an incomprehensible act of cowardice.”
Of the 17 injured, 14 are children, with two in critical condition. Six children were taken to Children’s Minnesota hospital, whilst others are being treated at Hennepin Healthcare, according to hospital officials.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey fought back tears as he addressed the media: “There are families that have a deceased child. Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers… these kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church.”
The students had returned to school on Monday and were attending the special mass to celebrate the beginning of the new school year when Westman launched his attack. The Catholic school had scheduled the all-school mass at 8:15am local time.
The shooting triggered a massive emergency response, with local, state and federal agencies converging on the scene at 509 West 54th Street in south Minneapolis. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Minnesota State Patrol joined local law enforcement.
Witnesses described hearing extensive gunfire that lasted several minutes. One neighbour told Fox 9 they heard so much gunfire they initially thought it was someone roofing their house and didn’t call police.
Parents rushed to the scene after learning of the shooting, with many experiencing agonising waits before being reunited with their children. The city established a reunification centre at Annunciation School on 525 West 54th Street.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he had been briefed on the shooting and called it a “horrific act of violence,” adding: “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.”
President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the “tragic shooting” and that the FBI had “quickly responded” to the scene. Congressional representatives from Minnesota expressed their shock and grief at the attack on innocent children.
The city of Minneapolis confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the community after Westman took his own life following the shooting. Police have asked the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to work.
The discovery of the apparent manifesto video adds a chilling dimension to the investigation, suggesting the attack may have been planned in advance. Investigators will be examining the content closely for clues about Westman’s motivation.
The shooting marks another tragic incident of gun violence at an American school, with the particularly heinous nature of targeting young children during a religious service shocking the local community and nation.
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