Minneapolis is in shock after a gunman stormed a church school, opening fire on children as they prayed.
The attacker, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, killed two children; Fletcher Merkel (8) and Harper Moyski (10), and injured 18 others before turning the gun on himself.
Police say Westman was “obsessed with killing children,” with no clear motive beyond hate and a disturbing fascination with past mass shootings.
Witnesses described terrified pupils fleeing the church, some bleeding, others begging strangers for help. A smoke bomb and three legally purchased firearms were recovered at the scene. Officials revealed Westman had scrawled anti-religious, anti-Jewish, and anti-Trump messages on his weapons.
Families of the young victims are devastated. Fletcher’s father, choking back tears, said: “Yesterday, a coward took our son. Fletcher loved fishing, cooking, and every sport he played. We love you, son; you’ll always be with us.”
Harper’s parents called their daughter “a bright, joyful soul whose laughter and kindness touched everyone”, urging action to end gun violence: “Change is necessary, so Harper’s story doesn’t become just another tragedy.”
Authorities believe the church’s locked doors saved many more lives. The FBI has branded the massacre domestic terrorism fueled by hate.
But for grieving families, the pain is raw and for Minneapolis, the question lingers: how many more children must die before change comes?
