Memorializing the 8-year-old son who lost his life in the Minneapolis church shooting for his abundant love

In a shocking turn of events, a tragic shooting took place at a Minneapolis church on a fateful day. The Associated Press, with writers from various locations, contributed to this report.

The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, carried out the attack, firing 116 rifle rounds through the church's stained-glass windows. The violent act claimed the lives of two Catholic school students, Fletcher Merkel (8 years old) and Harper Moyski (10 years old), who were celebrating Mass at the time.

The police chief, Brian O'Hara, confirmed that Westman never entered the church during the attack and could not see the children while firing. Tragically, Westman died by suicide after the attack.

Fifteen children between the ages of 6 and 15, along with three parishioners in their 80s, were injured in the shooting. Only one person was in critical condition. More officers rendered first aid and rescued some of the children.

The perpetrator had no criminal record, but investigations revealed links to organizations associated with the New Right. Westman was connected to groups such as the "Institute for State Policy" (IfS), "COMPACT-Magazin GmbH," "Ein Prozent e.V.," "Verlag Antaios," and the "Identitäre Bewegung Deutschland" (IBD), reflecting strategic, media, networking, publishing, or activist roles within these groups. Additionally, there were observed connections between New Right actors and extremist elements of the "Alternative für Deutschland" (AfD) as well as conservative circles not previously considered relevant by the domestic intelligence service.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson stated that Westman expressed hate towards various groups in the videos and writings left behind. Videos on a YouTube channel, possibly posted by the shooter, show weapons and ammunition with messages like "kill Donald Trump" and "Where is your God?" along with the names of past mass shooters. The videos also depict someone filming the church and stabbing a drawing of the church with a long knife, pointing to two windows.

The Eagan Police Department provided two heavily redacted documents regarding police contact with Westman. One from 2018 related to a mental health call and welfare check for a child with parents Mary Grace Westman and James Westman, and another from 2016 involving a criminal complaint that was entirely redacted.

The first officer entered the church four minutes after the initial 911 call. The police chief did not specify which children hid, but mentioned that some were rescued. Loud noises and sirens have bothered Tess Rada's daughter since the attack, and tragically, her 8-year-old daughter's friend was one of the children killed.

In a statement, FBI Director Kash Patel classified the attack as an act of domestic terrorism motivated by hate-filled ideology. The nation mourns the loss of the innocent lives taken in this senseless act of violence.

Memorializing the 8-year-old son who lost his life in the Minneapolis church shooting for his abundant love