Tragic Minneapolis School Shooting: An Attack Driven by Hatred

Tue Sep 30 2025 10:07:02 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a shocking act of violence, a 23-year-old attacker opened fire on children at a Minneapolis church, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries. The incident highlights the urgent need for action against gun violence.

A shooting at a Minneapolis church left two children dead and 18 others injured. The attacker, obsessed with harming children, reportedly had no clear motive. Families mourn their losses, urging for change in gun laws to prevent future tragedies.

Investigators say that the attacker who opened fire on pupils as they were praying at a church in Minneapolis was obsessed with the idea of killing children.

Robin Westman, who killed two children and injured 18 others, did not seem to have any specific motive, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.

The attacker appeared to hate all of us, the chief said on Thursday, adding: More than anything, the shooter wanted to kill children.

The murdered children have been identified by family as Fletcher Merkel, eight, and Harper Moyski, 10.

Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us, his father, Jesse Merkel, told reporters. We will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming, he said.

Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and any sport that he was allowed to play. Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life, he continued, choking back tears.

The parents of Harper Moyski, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, said in a statement that their daughter was a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her.

They added that the family hopes her memory fuels action to stop gun violence.

Officials have released few details so far about the suspect's background, but say she previously attended the church's school and had a mother who had worked there.

The 23-year-old suspect is believed to have approached the side of the Annunciation Church and fired dozens of shots through the windows using three firearms. Police also found a smoke bomb at the scene.

Acting US Attorney General for Minnesota Joseph Thompson stated that the shooter expressed hate towards many groups, including the Jewish community and former President Trump.

With the increased public demand for change, the Minneapolis mayor has called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, echoing the sentiments of many families affected by rising gun violence in the United States.