Minneapolis shooting | Two children killed in the church of a Catholic school

(Minneapolis) A shooter opened fire on Wednesday in a church in Minneapolis adjoining a Catholic school in the north of the United States, killing two children and wounding 14 others among the students gathered for mass.

The shooter, in his twenties acted alone, said Brian O’hara, the chief of the Minneapolis police during a press conference. He had three firearms and committed suicide at the place of the attack, according to the same source.

He opened fire on dozens of schoolchildren who attended a mass to celebrate their school year, two days after the resumption of courses.

According to investigators, he drew dozens of times using these two rifles and this handgun.

“Two young children, 8 and 10 years old, were killed while seated on the benches of the church,” added Brian O’Hara, adding that 17 people were injured, including 14 children.

A doctor at Hennepin Healthcare hospital said he had taken care of 11 patients, including two adults and nine children between 6 and 14 years old. Four of them were operated on an emergency.

The “Minnesota has a broken heart”, wrote on X the governor of this state, Tim Walz.

“Police officers who have been dispatched, to the members of the clergy and to teachers who comfort, via the caregivers to the hospital who save lives, we will cross this test together,” he said, before adding: “Tighten your children loudly in your arms”.

Pope Leon XIV said he was “saddened” and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.

Live images have shown panicked parents coming to seek their children and leaving the scene.

“Broken heart”

“This is an act of deliberate violence against innocent children and other people who came to pray. The cruelty and cowardice that must be shown to shoot in a church filled with children is absolutely incomprehensible, “added the police chief, adding that an investigation was underway to try to define a mobile.

“We have a broken heart for families who have lost their children, for these young lives who fight to survive and for the inhabitants who are traumatized by this insane attack,” he added.

“It was the first week of school. They were in a church. These are children who should be learning with their friends, “the mayor of Minneapolis told journalists Jacob Frey.

“They should be playing in the playground. They should be able to go to school or church in peace, without fear or be the victim of violence, “he added.

The shooter was identified as Robin Westman, 23, according to American media. These refer to judicial documents from 2019-2020 reporting a change of first name, from Robert to Robin, of this person born of male, but identifying themselves as a woman.

With more firearms in circulation than residents, the United States has the highest weapon mortality rate in all developed countries.

The killings are a recurring scourge that successive governments have so far failed to stem, many Americans remaining very attached to their arms.

Donald Trump said on Wednesday that it was “fully informed” of the “tragic” attack.

“The White House will continue to follow this terrible situation,” he added on his social social platform.

In a statement, the American president then asked that the flags be put at half mast until August 31.

A White House official also said that Donald Trump had quickly spoken with Governor Tim Walz.

This year, at least 287 mass killings, defined as killing at least four or injured, took place in the United States, according to the NGO Gun Violence Archive.

In 2024, at least 16,700 people, not to mention suicides, had been killed by firearm.

In 2022, an 18 -year -old man killed 19 students and two teachers in a primary school in Uvalde, Texas, a massacre that had particularly shocked public opinion.