Tragedy at a Minneapolis Catholic school leaves 2 children dead, 17 individuals wounded in a shooting incident
Tragedy Strikes Minneapolis: Shooting at Annunciation Catholic School
In a shocking turn of events, a shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis has left a devastating impact on the community. The incident, which occurred just before 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, claimed the lives of two children aged 8 and 10, and injured 17 others, including 14 children and three octogenarian parishioners.
The gunfire was the latest in a series of fatal shootings in Minneapolis in less than 24 hours. The alleged shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, was armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. According to reports, Westman took his own life at the scene following the shooting.
Police officers immediately responded to the incident and entered the church. They rendered first aid and rescued some of the children hiding throughout the building. Teachers and children at the school responded heroically during the shooting.
Investigators are examining a social media post that appears to show the shooter at the scene. Federal officials refer to Westman as transgender. However, it's important to note that Westman does not have an extensive known criminal history, and it is believed that Westman acted alone.
The police have not found any relationship between the shooter and the church, nor a clear motive for the shooting. The shooting is being investigated as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics by the FBI Director Kash Patel.
Gov. Walz lamented that children just starting the school year were met with evil and horror and death. A vigil was held on Wednesday evening at a nearby school's gym, attended by Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Catholic clergy. Pope Leo XIV also sent a telegram of condolences to the victims of the shooting.
In a heartwarming display of resilience, children in dark green uniforms trickled out of the school with adults, giving lingering hugs and wiping away tears. Vincent Francoual's 11-year-old daughter, Chloe, survived the shooting by running downstairs to hide in a room with a table pressed against the door. Danielle Gunter, the mother of an eighth-grade boy who was shot, stated her son was helped by a Minneapolis police officer before getting into an ambulance.
Despite the tragic incident, it's worth noting that violent crime in Minneapolis has decreased since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from AH Datalytics and its Real-Time Crime Index.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community support and unity in times of adversity. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire Minneapolis community during this difficult time.
