By Steve Neavling
The FBI is investigating Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Minneapolis church as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics, Director Kash Patel said.
“The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman,” Patel wrote on X. “The FBI will continue to provide updates on our ongoing investigation with the public as we are able.”
Authorities said Westman, who identified as transgender, opened fire through a window of Annunciation Church as children prayed during the first Mass of the school year, The Hill reports. Westman then entered the church and used three firearms, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said.
Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed. Seventeen others, including 14 children, were injured. Westman died by suicide at the scene.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the shooter “targeted our most vulnerable: young children praying in their first morning Mass of the school year.”
The White House ordered flags lowered to half-staff to honor the victims.
