The FBI is investigating Wednesday’s taking pictures in Minnesota as an act of home terrorism and a hate crime concentrating on Catholics, Director Kash Patel stated.
Patel confirmed the suspected shooter was recognized as Robin Westman, who Patel and different high administration officers stated recognized as transgender.
“The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman,” Patel posted on social platform X. “The FBI will continue to provide updates on our ongoing investigation with the public as we are able.”
Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem stated Westman “targeted our most vulnerable: young children praying in their first morning Mass of the school year.”
Two kids, ages 8 and 10, had been killed Wednesday morning within the taking pictures at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. Seventeen others had been injured, together with 14 kids.
Police officers stated they’re nonetheless not sure of the motive behind the crime. Westman died by suicide on the scene, police stated.
The shooter initially opened hearth by means of a window as kids had been in pews praying, later getting into the church and firing three firearms, based on Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.The White Home ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor the victims of the taking pictures.
