Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Minneapolis Church Shooting Kills Two Children as FBI Opens Terror and Hate‑Crime Inquiries

Authorities have not identified a single motive after recovering a manifesto, online videos and legally purchased firearms tied to the attack.

Overview

  • Police say the attacker, identified as 23-year-old former pupil Robin Westman, died by suicide at the scene after firing into Annunciation Catholic Church during a morning mass.
  • Two students, ages 8 and 10, were killed and 17 people were wounded, including 14 children; officials said most of the injured are expected to survive.
  • The shooter fired dozens of rounds through church windows using two rifles and a pistol, with investigators reporting that the three weapons were bought legally.
  • The FBI has launched domestic‑terrorism and anti‑Catholic hate‑crime inquiries as investigators analyze a written manifesto, videos posted online and messages scrawled on ammunition magazines.
  • Searches and forensic work continue at multiple addresses, and President Donald Trump ordered flags lowered to half‑staff on federal buildings through August 31.