City officials said two children—ages 8 and 10—were killed and 17 others were injured when a gunman fired through the windows of the Church of the Annunciation during a morning Mass in Minneapolis. Authorities identified the suspect as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who used three legally purchased firearms and acted alone, according to the Minneapolis Mayor’s Office update. Police said the suspect died at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators are executing four search warrants at the church and other metro locations and have recovered additional firearms, the city said. A motive remains unclear; a suspected manifesto that was allegedly posted online was removed by law enforcement, according to the city’s 4 p.m. briefing. Mayor Jacob Frey urged the community to support the victims’ families and denounced hate directed at transgender people in remarks at an afternoon news conference.
Separately, DailyMail.com reported that Westman is a transgender woman and that Westman’s mother previously worked at the school. City officials have not addressed those specific biographical details in their written updates.
- The victims:
- Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in today’s shooting. They were both students at the Annunciation School.
- Fourteen other children, between the ages 6 and 15, were injured.
- Three adult parishioners attending the mass at the time of the shooting were also injured.
- Police have identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman. Police say the shooter used three different firearms to carry out the act, and they believe Westman acted alone. The guns used in the incident were purchased legally.
- Four search warrants are currently being executed at the church and three other locations around the metro. Additional firearms have been recovered as part of these searches.
- Police say a motive is unclear. A suspected manifesto allegedly posted by the shooter was taken down by law enforcement.
What’s next: The city said vigils are being organized and a family assistance center is being set up to provide resources to those affected while the investigation continues.
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