Minneapolis, USA: The FBI is investigating the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School as a potential act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics, Director Kash Patel said.

The attack occurred on Wednesday morning when a heavily armed gunman opened fire through the church windows during Mass, killing two children and injuring 17 others before taking his own life.

Victims and scene

The children who died were aged 8 and 10, seated in pews at the time. Fourteen of the injured were children between 6 and 15 years old, while three adults in their 80s were also hurt. Authorities said all injured are expected to survive.

The shooting took place near the beginning of Mass, when some children were still entering the church. At least two doors of the church had been barricaded from the outside, police said.

Shooter identified and background

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara identified the attacker as 23-year-old Robin Westman. “We don’t have a motive at this time,” Chief O’Hara said. He added that Westman acted alone and had legally purchased a rifle, shotgun, and pistol.

Investigators believe Westman was a former student at the school, and a law enforcement source said his mother is a retired school employee.

Videos, diary entries, and weapons

Authorities are reviewing videos and writings left by Westman on social media, which include diary entries describing the killing of children and a drawing of the church sanctuary. The footage also shows weapons, ammunition, and what appear to be explosive devices.

In one video, the shooter displays the church layout, points to windows, and stabs the illustration with a knife. Other videos show journal entries and phrases written on weapons, including “kill Donald Trump” and “Where is your God?” Some text is in Cyrillic.

Witness accounts and school response

Ellie Mertens, 25, a youth minister at the church, said she was seated with children when bullets tore through the windows. “I was just feet away from this window where it was. The pew saved my life,” she said.

Principal Matt DeBoer said adults protected the children, with older students shielding younger ones. Annunciation Catholic School has 391 students enrolled in pre-K to eighth grade and is located about 5 miles south of downtown Minneapolis.

Official reactions

Mayor Jacob Frey described the incident as an unspeakable tragedy. “You cannot put into words the gravity, tragedy or absolute pain of the situation,” he said, urging action beyond “thoughts and prayers.”

President Donald Trump, briefed on the shooting, ordered flags nationwide lowered to half-staff until Sunday in tribute to the victims.

Broader context

Minneapolis has witnessed multiple acts of gun violence this summer, including the assassination of a state lawmaker and her husband in June. The Annunciation attack is the fourth deadly shooting in the city since Tuesday. A recent nearby shooting at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School is not believed to be linked.