The FBI is investigating Wednesday’s shooting in Minnesota as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics, Director Kash Patel said.
Patel confirmed the suspected shooter was identified as Robin Westman, who Patel and other top administration officials said identified as transgender.
“The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman,” Patel posted on X. “The FBI will continue to provide updates on our ongoing investigation with the public as we are able.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Westman “targeted our most vulnerable: young children praying in their first morning Mass of the school year.”
Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed Wednesday morning in the shooting at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. Seventeen others were injured, including 14 children.
Police said they are still unsure of the motive behind the crime. Westman died by suicide at the scene, police said.
The shooter initially opened fire through a window as children were in pews praying, then entered the church and fired all three firearms they were carrying, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
The White House ordered flags being lowered to half-staff to honor the victims of the shooting.
