2 Kids Killed in Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting, 17 People Injured

12:35 PM PT — FBI Director Kash Patel announced an update to the case on X … saying the suspect was “identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman.” Patel said the FBI is investigating the shooting as domestic terrorism and a “hate crime targeting Catholics.”

10:40 AM PT — The Associated Press reports an unnamed law enforcement official says authorities identified the shooting suspect as Robin Westman … local outlets KARE and KSTP also report sources have confirmed the same name. NBC News reports the same name, and said law enforcement officials confirmed Westman posted multiple videos online referencing violence.

Police rushed to a Catholic school in Minneapolis in response to a shooting Wednesday morning during Mass … at least two children are dead and as many as 17 people were injured.

According to KSTP-TV, dozens of law enforcement officers responded to the pre-K through 8th-grade Annunciation Catholic School around 8:40 AM local time. Personnel from the FBI, Minnesota State Patrol, Minneapolis Police and ATF were at the scene, according to local reports.

The suspected shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. At least 16 kids are being treated at local hospitals, according to CNN.

Federal sources said the suspect was a man wearing all black and carrying a rifle, according to WCCO-TV. A man who lives near the school told local outlet KARE-TV what he heard as shots rang out … claiming the shooting went on for “several minutes.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey spoke at a press conference a couple hours after the shooting … asking people to band together in the face of this unspeakable tragedy.

Mayor Frey said children and parents shouldn’t live in fear of mass shootings at schools … adding people shouldn’t just offer thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara says the suspected gunman approached the outside of the building around 8:30 AM and began shooting through the windows with a rifle. O’Hara says bullets hit children and others worshipping inside the church.

Two children — 10 and 8 years old — were killed. Seventeen other people — including 14 kids — were injured and at least seven people are in critical condition.

Chief O’Hara says the alleged shooter was in his early 20s and has no extensive criminal history. They are still trying to determine his motive. O’Hara says the shooter carried a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol with him, and fired off dozens of rounds. Despite some reports, O’Hara says there were no explosives.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar told MSNBC the daughter of her former employee was in the church during the shooting … and, she watched as two of her friends were shot. The senator says this teenager had to let the father of one of her friends know what happened to his daughter.

Governor Tim Walz released a short statement about the shooting at 9:10 AM CDT … writing, “I’ve been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will continue to provide updates as we get more information. 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.”

The school’s website states that a schoolwide mass was scheduled for 8:15 AM CDT. According to KMSP-TV, the first report of the shooting came in around 8:27 AM.

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social he’s been briefed on the shooting, and the White House will monitor the situation. He’s asking people to pray for everyone involved.