Witnesses to a mass shooting in Minneapolis have described the terrifying scenes after an attacker opened fire on a church where children were celebrating Mass on Wednesday morning.
One young boy described being protected by a friend who got hit himself. Two children were killed and 17 others injured in an incident that the FBI is treating as an anti-Catholic hate crime.
The attacker, named as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have not yet given a suspected motive.
Westman was reportedly a former pupil of the nearby school, and community members are in shock.
The young survivor, 10-year-old Weston Halsne, shared how his friend, Victor, saved him from bullets by lying on top of him. I was like two seats away from the stained glass window... my friend got hit in the back, he went to the hospital... I think now he's okay, Weston recounted.
Weston noted that although he and his classmates were trained on what to do in case of a shooting, it was unusual for such an event to occur in a church setting.
The assailant fired dozens of shots through the church windows, triggering fear and confusion in the community. Witnesses described children fleeing the building, covered in blood and crying out for help.
Local residents, including a woman who works nearby, expressed their horror at the scene, stating that witnessing the reality of such violence is far worse than anything seen in videos.
Hundreds gathered for a vigil to mourn the lost lives, with emotional pleas made for change in response to gun violence in schools. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed his sadness over the recurring nature of such tragedies in the country, highlighting the need for safety in schools.
As investigations continue, including notes left by the suspect and its implications for the local community, the aftermath of the shooting shakes the foundation of the city and its residents.
