Additional Coverage:
- Guns used by Minneapolis church school shooter Robin Westman were purchased legally, police say (foxnews.com)
Minneapolis School Shooting: Update from Police Chief
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara addressed the public following Wednesday’s tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, identifying the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman. O’Hara condemned Westman as a “coward” who opened fire during a Mass, killing two students and injuring 17 others.
The chief confirmed that the weapons used – a rifle, shotgun, and pistol – were legally purchased by Westman. While the exact purchase date remains undisclosed, O’Hara stated they were obtained “recently.” He also confirmed that, at this time, investigators believe Westman acted alone.
Four search warrants were executed – one at the church and three at residences in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
While no additional firearms were found, hundreds of pieces of evidence were recovered, including writings that the FBI is currently analyzing. O’Hara stated additional electronic search warrants are likely.
The chief described the attack as following a “classic pathway to an active shooter,” noting the suspect’s generalized “hate against a whole variety of people.” However, a specific motive for targeting the church remains unclear.
O’Hara praised the school’s safety procedures, highlighting the locked church doors that forced Westman to shoot from outside, likely preventing further casualties. He confirmed all victims are expected to survive.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) completed an urgent trace of the firearms, but that information will not be released publicly.
The Annunciation Church commended its staff for quickly moving students to safety, acknowledging the tragic loss of two students while expressing gratitude for the swift response of law enforcement.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey echoed this sentiment, praising the bravery of faculty, teachers, and police officers. A parent of one of the injured students released a statement expressing grief and prayers for all those affected.
Former First Lady Melania Trump also commented on the tragedy, emphasizing the need for preemptive intervention and behavioral threat assessments to identify potential school shooters.