Investigators say the shooter who opened fire on a Minneapolis church filled with children during Mass was “obsessed with the idea of killing children” and fueled by a hate-driven ideology.
The attacker, who died by suicide in the parking lot after the rampage, left behind writings, videos, and a manifesto expressing hatred for multiple groups, including Mexicans, Christians, and Jews. Acting US attorney for Minnesota, Joseph Thompson, noted that the assailant idolized infamous school shooters.
“This was an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology,” FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed.
Two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed inside the church pews, while 15 others were wounded, mostly children. Three elderly worshippers, all in their 80s, were also injured. One child remains in critical condition, while a pensioner is in serious condition at Hennepin Healthcare.
Authorities recovered 116 rifle rounds, three shotgun shells, and a jammed handgun round at the scene. The 23-year-old attacker, who legally changed names in 2020 and identified as a transgender woman, had legally purchased all three firearms.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara urged the public and media to avoid naming the shooter, stressing that the motive was notoriety. The attacker had ties to the church, having once attended its Catholic school, and the mother had previously worked there.
What you should know
The Minneapolis church attack highlights the ongoing crisis of gun violence and extremism in the United States. Investigators confirmed it as an act of domestic terrorism rooted in hate and obsession with past mass shooters.
The tragedy underscores concerns over easy legal access to firearms and the growing threat of ideologically motivated violence.
