Investigators say that the attacker who opened fire on pupils as they were praying at a church in Minneapolis was obsessed with the idea of killing children. Robin Westman, who killed two children and injured 18 others, did not seem to have any specific motive, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. The attacker appeared to hate all of us, the chief said on Thursday, adding: More than anything, the shooter wanted to kill children.
The murdered children have been identified by family as Fletcher Merkel, eight, and Harper Moyski, 10. Fletcher's father, Jesse Merkel, expressed profound grief, stating, Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us... Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life.
In a statement, Harper's family described her as a bright, joyful, and deeply loved child, and expressed a hope that her memory would inspire action to tackle gun violence.
The shooter, who had previously attended the church school, approached and fired dozens of rounds through the windows with three firearms. Witnesses reported seeing children fleeing the building in terror. After the attack, which officials have categorized as an act of domestic terrorism, a call for stricter gun laws has emerged, with activists and lawmakers urging a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Local officials, devastated by the event, highlighted the need for immediate action to prevent such tragedies in the future. This shooting adds to the ongoing conversation regarding gun violence in the U.S. and the safety of children in educational environments.
The murdered children have been identified by family as Fletcher Merkel, eight, and Harper Moyski, 10. Fletcher's father, Jesse Merkel, expressed profound grief, stating, Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us... Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life.
In a statement, Harper's family described her as a bright, joyful, and deeply loved child, and expressed a hope that her memory would inspire action to tackle gun violence.
The shooter, who had previously attended the church school, approached and fired dozens of rounds through the windows with three firearms. Witnesses reported seeing children fleeing the building in terror. After the attack, which officials have categorized as an act of domestic terrorism, a call for stricter gun laws has emerged, with activists and lawmakers urging a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Local officials, devastated by the event, highlighted the need for immediate action to prevent such tragedies in the future. This shooting adds to the ongoing conversation regarding gun violence in the U.S. and the safety of children in educational environments.