At least 17 people are injured and two children are dead after a suspect dressed all in black opened fire at a Catholic Mass being held at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota, officials confirmed.
The suspect, who was identified as Robin Westman, is also dead. The motive is not yet clear. Minneapolis police chief, Brian O’Hara, said in a news conference that the gunman, who is in his early 20s and was carrying a shotgun, rifle, and pistol, took his own life after shooting through windows. Westman's mother was retired from the school, KARE11 reported.
The mass shooting unfolded at the Minneapolis-area school, which serves students in kindergarten through 8th grade, on August 27.
The City of Richfield, Minnesota, Police Department posted a statement on its Facebook page.
"MINNEAPOLIS: 509 W 54th St, Annunciation Church – Police are responding to an active shooter call. Officers are reporting 20 victims," police wrote.
"A man dressed in all black and armed with a rifle was reported at the scene. EMS has requested a Mass Casualty Response and fire crews are bringing in additional resources," the statement says. "Initial information indicated the suspect shooter is no longer a threat. However, out of an abundance of caution, we have increased Richfield’s patrol staffing to provide additional resources in Richfield and assistance to Minneapolis."
The 20 figure may have included the shooter because authorities later said the gunman killed "two children in the pews" and wounded 17 more people, including 14 children, according to The New York Times. The deceased children are ages 8 and 10, authorities said in the news conference, indicating that some of the surviving victims are in critical condition.
"This morning at Annunciation Church and Catholic School, someone shot and wounded multiple children and staff while they attended morning mass," Minneapolis Council member Katie Cashman said in a statement to Fox9.
"At this moment, the shooter is contained. Our office is closely monitoring the situation and will share more information as it becomes available," she wrote. "I am absolutely horrified by the events unfolding this morning, and our office is here to support those who need it. This is a time to hold your loved ones close and check in with each other."
Minnesota's Gov. Tim Walz said he was briefed on the shooting, calling it "horrific."
"I’ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will continue to provide updates as we get more information," Walz wrote on X. "The BCA and State Patrol are on scene. I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence."
CNN reported that the suspect likely died of a self-inflicted wound, and authorities later confirmed this at the news conference.