The latest on the mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school : NPR
Early Wednesday morning, a shooter pulled in the windows of a Catholic school in Minneapolis. At least two children were killed and several others were injured.
Ari Shapiro, host:
In Minnesota, the students of a Catholic school have shorted their school day by a tragedy today. A mass shooting killed and injured children celebrating mass at the Roman Catholic church in the Adjacent Minneapolis Annunciation. At least two children died. Seventeen other people were injured. We learn more about the shooter and the victims. Peter Cox, from Minnesota public radio, is with us now. Thank you for joining us.
Peter Cox, byline: Hi, Ari.
Shapiro: Tell us what the authorities say. How did they describe what happened today?
COX: The mass shooting therefore occurred at the Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, at the church. The church is right next to the school. Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara said late Wednesday morning that the shooting took place during the morning mass, which marked the first week of school, in which children and adults adored. O’Hara said that the shooter seemed to make most or all shots from outside the windows. They had a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, and the police said that the shooter had used the three, pulling tens of towers. Police said he seems to have the shooter who died of a self-inflicted ball injury.
Shapiro: And what can you tell us more about the shooter?
COX: FBI director Kash Patel, therefore said on X that the shooter had been identified. Quote, “the shooter was identified as Robin Westman, a man born like Robert Westman.” In 2020, Westman’s mother asked to change the name of her 17 -year -old Robert child in Robin. In the court documents obtained by NPR, the mother, Grace – Mary Grace Westman, wrote, a minor child identifies himself as a woman and wants her name to reflect this identification. However, we do not know how the person is currently identified, but the suicide note has been signed like Robin.
Shapiro: Tell us about the victims. It is a school for students from kindergarten to eighth year. So those who were killed and injured were, many of them, very young. What do you know about them?
Cox: Yes, it’s true, Ari. We learn even more about the victims, but we know that two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed as they were in the benches. Seventeen other people were injured, including adults and children. They were taken to two different hospitals from Minneapolis. An emergency doctor from Hennepin Healthcare, one of these hospitals, said that 10 patients had been brought, most of whom were children. He said that an adult and six children were in critical conditions and that others are not injuring life.
Shapiro: The Governor of Minnesota held a press conference this afternoon. The police chief and the mayor had a earlier. What do they say?
COX: It was therefore an emotional moment for them, as had been for the whole community. Here’s what Governor Walz had to say.
(Soundbit of archived registration)
Tim Walz: We often come to them and say these unbeasome tragedies, or there are no words for that. There should not be words for these types of incidents because they should not occur.
Cox: And here is what the mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, said this morning.
(Soundbit of archived registration)
Jacob Frey: Do not say that it is about thoughts and prayers at the moment. These children literally prayed. It was the first school week. They were in a church.
Cox: and Minneapolis also attended other shots this week. But the fact that they were children in a school at that time was beyond trouble for the mayor. He said there are no words that can capture the horror and the evil of this unspeakable act.
(Soundbit of archived registration)
Frey: These are children who should learn with their friends. They should play on the playing field. They should be able to go to school or church in peace without fear or risk of violence, and their parents should have the same kind of insurance.
Shapiro: Does Peter have an answer from the Archdiocese?
Cox: Yes, Archbishop Bernard Hebda, who directs the archdiocese of Saint-Paul and Minneapolis, thanked people around the world for their prayers for the victims and families affected by the shooting. He said: “Cite:” My heart is broken as I think of students, teachers, clergy and parishioners, and the horror they have witnessed in a church, a place where they (pH) should feel safe. ” He also wrote on yesterday’s shooting in Minneapolis near a Catholic school and called for armed violence, saying that these events are far too common. Hebda added that they had to work to prevent these tragedies from reproducing.
Shapiro: This is obviously a story of rupture, and I know that you will continue to update us as we learn more. Peter Cox of Minnesota public radio, thank you for your reports.
Cox: You are welcome.
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