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.
Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us, his father Jesse Merkel told reporters. Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and any sport that he was allowed to play.
The parents of Harper Moyski, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, expressed their devastation, hoping her memory fuels action to combat gun violence.
While few details about the suspect's background have emerged, officials confirmed that Westman previously attended the church school and had a mother who worked there. Witnesses reported horrific scenes of chaos and fear as children fled for their lives.
FBI Director Kash Patel characterized the attack as an act of domestic terrorism, spurred by a hate-filled ideology. The community is left reeling as demands for legislative action against gun violence intensify.
In the wake of the tragedy, lawmakers, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have called for a ban on assault weapons, stressing the urgency for heightened measures against gun violence in schools and public spaces.
}
