A shooter opened fire Wednesday morning during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, killing two children and injuring 17 other people before dying by suicide, officials said.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, did not have an extensive known criminal history, acted alone and had legally purchased the weapons recently.
A law enforcement official told the New York Times that investigators believe the attacker was a former student at the school and the suspect’s mother is a retired school employee.
Videos on YouTube
O’Hara said authorities are aware of a video showing writings that the shooter had timed to be released on YouTube.
It “appeared to show (the suspect) at the scene and included some disturbing writings,” O’Hara said. With the assistance of the FBI, the content has since been taken down and “it now remains under active review by our investigators,” the police chief said.
According to the Associated Press, in one video that lasts about 10 minutes, the alleged shooter shows weapons and ammunition, many with sayings written on them including the phrases “kill Donald Trump” and “Where is your God?” Some are in Cyrillic.
The person holds up a letter to relatives, sings the word “tomorrow” and says, “I’m sorry to my family … that’s the only people I’m sorry to.”
A second, almost 20-minute video shows two journals with stickers, some depicting weapons. The alleged shooter flips to what looks to be a drawing of the layout of the church, points to two outside windows and then stabs the illustration with a long knife.
Gender identity, family
Federal officials referred to Westman as transgender, and Frey decried hatred being directed at “our transgender community.”
In 2020, a judge approved a petition, signed by Westman’s mother, asking for a name change from Robert to Robin, saying the petitioner “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”
Former Kentucky state lawmaker Bob Heleringer told The Associated Press he is Westman’s uncle, but had not seen Westman in a few years.
“He was my nephew, and I wish he had shot me instead of innocent schoolchildren,” Heleringer said during a phone interview. “I barely knew him. They (Robin’s family) never lived in Louisville. They lived in Minnesota.”
RISE Dispensary employment
Westman was employed by RISE Dispensary, a chain of cannabis dispensaries in Minnesota, for several months earlier this year, according to a RISE spokesperson.
“This individual was not employed by the company at the time of the incident,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred today in Minnesota. Our deepest condolences go out to the victims, their families, and the entire community impacted by this senseless act of violence.”
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