MINNEAPOLIS — The shooter who killed two Minneapolis Catholic college college students and injured greater than a dozen others was crammed with hatred and admired mass murderers, authorities revealed on Thursday.
“It is extremely clear that this shooter had the intention to terrorise these harmless youngsters,” stated Minneapolis police Chief Brian O’Hara.
23-year-old Robin Westman fired 116 rifle rounds by means of stained-glass home windows whereas the youngsters celebrated Mass in the course of the first week of lessons on the Annunciation Catholic Faculty
In accordance with authorities, Westman as soon as attended the identical college and was “obsessed” with the concept of killing youngsters.
Performing US Legal professional Joe Thompson stated movies and writings the shooter left behind present that the shooter “expressed hate in direction of virtually each group conceivable.”
The one group Westman didn’t hate was “mass murderers,” Thompson added. “In brief, the shooter appeared to hate all of us.”
Investigators recovered lots of of items of proof from the church and three residences, the police chief stated. They discovered extra writings from the suspect, however no further firearms or a transparent motive for the assault on the church the shooter as soon as attended. Westman had a “deranged fascination” with mass killings, O’Hara stated.
“No proof will ever have the ability to make sense of such an unthinkable tragedy,” he stated.
Surveillance video captured the assault and confirmed the shooter by no means entered the church and couldn’t see the youngsters whereas firing by means of home windows lined up with the pews, the police chief stated.
Westman, whose mom labored for the parish earlier than retiring in 2021, left behind a number of movies and web page upon web page of writings describing a litany of grievances. One learn: “I do know that is mistaken, however I can’t appear to cease myself.”
O’Hara stated Westman was armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol, and died by suicide.
Members of the family described one of many victims, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, as a boy who cherished his household, fishing, cooking, and any sport he was allowed to play.
“We’ll by no means be allowed to carry him, discuss to him, play with him and watch him develop into the fantastic younger man he was on the trail to changing into,” his father, Jesse, stated whereas tearfully studying a press release outdoors the church on Thursday.
The mother and father of the opposite sufferer, 10-year-old Harper Moyski, stated in a press release that she was a shiny and joyful little one.
“Our hearts are damaged not solely as mother and father, but in addition for Harper’s sister, who adored her large sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss,” stated Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin. “As a household, we’re shattered, and phrases can not seize the depth of our ache.”
They stated they hope her reminiscence helps drive leaders “to take significant steps to handle gun violence and the psychological well being disaster on this nation.”
Metropolis officers on Thursday elevated to fifteen the variety of injured youngsters, who’re ages 6 to fifteen. Three parishioners of their 80s additionally have been injured. Just one individual — a baby — was in important situation. — Euronews
