Tragedy Strikes Minneapolis: Church Shooting Shatters Community

Amidst the serene setting of a Catholic church in Minneapolis, a mass shooting shattered the community's tranquility, resulting in the deaths of two children and injuries to 17 others. Authorities have labeled the incident, carried out by a single gunman who later took his own life, as a domestic terrorism act targeting Catholics. The tragic event unfolded during a school Mass, leaving families and the community grappling with the aftermath.

The suspect, identified as Robin Westman, approached the Annunciation Catholic School, unleashing a barrage of gunfire through the church windows. The Minneapolis Police Chief called the act incomprehensible as police swiftly responded, saving many children taking refuge in the building. The attack left the nation in mourning, sparking a wave of condolences from national leaders, including Governor Tim Walz and President Donald Trump, who ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff.

Hennepin Healthcare received 10 patients, including eight children, with several in critical condition. The shooting is one in a series of violent incidents in the area, unrelated to other recent events, according to police. The attack underscores an unsettling pattern of violence in educational settings nationwide, prompting discussions on measures to safeguard schools and communities.

(With inputs from agencies.)