A shooter opened fire during morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic school in south Minneapolis, killing two children aged eight and ten and injuring 17 others. Fourteen injured children, ages six to 15, included two critically injured but expected to survive; three injured adults were parishioners in their 80s. Bullets were fired through windows just before congregants were to proclaim Alleluia as pews were packed with teachers, parents and children. People ducked behind pews, barricaded doors and fled to a gym. Neighbors reported hearing as many as 50 shots. Police found the 23-year-old suspect, Robin Westman, dead behind the church; no motive or connection has been identified. The FBI is investigating the incident as domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.
The pews had been packed with teachers, parents and children listening to a psalm. Just before the congregants were to proclaim Alleluia, bullets were fired through the windows. Down! Everybody down! someone shouted as children ducked for cover behind wooden pews. One student threw himself on top of a friend and was shot in the back. A youth minister called her husband to say goodbye. People used a wooden plank to barricade a door and fled to a gymnasium.
The shooting went on for several minutes, according to a man who lives near the church and said he heard as many as 50 shots. Dozens of law enforcement officers soon arrived at the school. Police said the suspect, Robin Westman, 23, was found dead behind the church. Westman's mother once worked there, but otherwise the shooter had no known connection to the church and no motive has been revealed.
Collection
[
|
...
]