A shooting at a school in Minneapolis that left two children dead and 17 others injured is being investigated as an anti-Catholic hate crime, the FBI says.


The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics, FBI Director Kash Patel stated via a post on X.


The two deceased children, aged eight and ten, were killed when an assailant opened fire through the windows of the city's Annunciation Church during a Mass celebration.


The shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have not yet released the motive behind the attack.


Shortly after the shooting, a steady stream of mourners visited the site, expressing their grief and anger that such an attack had occurred during a holy service as the school year was beginning.


Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, expressed his sorrow, stating he was profoundly saddened by the tragedy.


Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara condemned the attack, describing it as a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and highlighted the shocking cruelty of targeting a church full of young worshippers.


Investigators reported the shooter used three firearms during the attack. As they sifted through the scene, they discovered a smoke bomb, which raised questions about Westman’s intentions.


witnesses described horrific scenes as children fled from the gunfire, with one survivor recounting how his friend protected him by lying on top of him, ultimately sustaining injuries.


The community has also raised concerns about understanding the attacker’s motives, wherein it was revealed that Westman, who transitioned in 2020, had connections to the Annunciation Church and school, where the victims were celebrating Mass.


Mayor Jacob Frey has spoken out against the rising hatred directed towards the transgender community in the aftermath of the shooting, defending the need for compassion and understanding amidst horror.


Governor Tim Walz expressed deep condolences from President Donald Trump, emphasizing that such tragedies should never be common in any community.