A quiet morning at a Minneapolis Catholic school was shattered by a deadly shooting on Thursday, leaving a woman and the suspected gunman dead in what authorities are investigating as a targeted attack.
The incident unfolded around 11:15 a.m. at the Church of the Annunciation school, where police responded to reports of an active shooter. According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara, the shooting appears to be a 'targeted incident' rather than a random act of violence.
The victim has been identified as 40-year-old Robin Westman, an employee at the school. The suspected shooter, a 25-year-old man whose identity has not been officially released, also died at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sequence of Events
Chief O'Hara detailed that the suspect entered the school building and proceeded directly to a specific room where he located and shot Ms. Westman. The attack was swift and deliberate.
Upon hearing the gunshots, a church custodian bravely intervened. The custodian, armed with his own legally possessed firearm, confronted the shooter. This confrontation, authorities believe, prompted the suspect to turn the gun on himself.
Community in Mourning
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis confirmed the tragic news, expressing profound grief for the loss of their employee. The school and church were immediately placed on lockdown during the police response, ensuring the safety of students and staff who were present in other parts of the building.
While the precise motive remains under active investigation, police have stated there is no evidence to suggest an ongoing threat to the wider community. The investigation continues as authorities work to understand the relationship between the victim and the assailant.
