A mass shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis on Wednesday has shocked the world, with a transgender shooter opening fire during a school mass, killing five people and injuring 17 others. The attacker, Robin Westman, also left behind chilling hate messages, including a disturbing call to "Nuke India", revealed in videos posted on social media before the attack.

The phrase "Nuke India" reportedly implies a desire for a nuclear attack or destruction of the country, reflecting the shooter’s extremist and violent mindset.

Who was the shooter and what happened?

Police identified the shooter as Robin Westman, who entered the church and fired through a stained-glass window. Westman then shot herself. The attack took place during a mass marking the beginning of the academic year at the church’s school.

Among those killed were two children aged eight and ten, and three elderly people in their 80s who had come to attend the service.

What hate messages did the shooter leave?

In a video posted before the attack, Westman showed weapons inscribed with multiple hateful messages. These included: Nuke India, A misspelt Russian phrase meaning 'Kill yourself', kill Donald Trump now, hate slogans targeting Latinos, African Americans, Jews, and Israel.

The video was later removed from social media at the request of law enforcement, though copies still circulated online.

What do we know about Westman’s background?

Westman attended the church school as a boy named Robert Westman, completing eighth grade in 2017. In 2020, Westman legally transitioned and changed her name, identifying as a transgender girl.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is treating the shooting as both a domestic terrorism act and a hate crime targeting Catholics, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.

Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the authenticity of the video and highlighted some of the hate messages on her social media.

Second attack on a Christian institution in 2 years

This attack is the second in two years involving a transgender person targeting Christian institutions in the US.

In 2023, a transgender man named Aiden Hale attacked the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, killing six people before being fatally shot by police.

While US authorities often criticise other nations for religious violence, the US itself has a troubling record. The US Catholic Bishops’ Conference reports at least 390 attacks on Catholic institutions since 2020.

Larger picture of violence in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has seen a surge in violent incidents recently. According to police, this church shooting was the fourth violent event since Tuesday, including a high school shooting nearby.

In June, former Democratic State House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot in a Minneapolis suburb, with other prominent local politicians injured.

IANS inputs