(NewsNation) — A shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school killed two children and injured 17 people Wednesday morning.
The two children killed were ages eight and 10. Fourteen of those injured were also children, police said. All of the injured are expected to survive. The shooter is also dead.
Police identified the shooter as Robin Westman and said the weapons used in the shooting were recently purchased and legal. According to the Department of Homeland Security, magazines for the weapons had sayings including “Kill Donald Trump” written on them. A motive is still under investigation.
Police say the shooter approached Annunciation Church around 8 a.m. CT and began shooting into the building where a Mass marking the start of school was taking place. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation.
Yesterday, six people were shot and one killed outside Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, located four miles away from Annunciation.
Follow live updates below:
Hennepin Healthcare now treating 10 victims
As of noon, local time, Hennepin Hospital said it is treating 10 victims from the shooting.
One adult and six children are in critical condition.
One adult and two children are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Area still considered an active scene
The public is being asked to avoid the area around Annunciation Church, which is still an active scene.
People are also asked to avoid the area out of respect for the privacy of the victims.
6 children admitted to Children’s Minnesota
The hospital said six children are currently admitted to the pediatric facility.
They are not sharing more information to protect the privacy of the patients.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called shooting an ‘act of evil’
“There are no words that can capture the horror and tragedy of the unspeakable act of evil at Annunciation Catholic Church. Children have been killed, more are injured, our community is shaken. Right now, our entire city needs to wrap these families in love and support. The City is setting up a family assistance center to provide them with resources and care.
“We are a Minneapolis family. Don’t think about these children just as someone else’s kids. Think of them as your own. This was their first week of school. They should be laughing and goofing off in the hallways right now. They should be learning and playing with their friends on the playground,” he said.
HCMC treated 11 patients from shooting
HCMC hospital officials said they received 11 patients from the shooting, two adults and nine children.
Seven of those were brought to the hospital in critical condition.
There were no fatalities related to the patients.
What do we know about the shooter?
Police described the shooter as a man in his early 20s who approached the church from outside and began shooting into the building.
He was dressed in all black clothing and carried three weapons, a pistol, a rifle and a shotgun.
Authorities have not released his name and said they are still working to determine the motive in the shooting.
Witness describes hearing about Minneapolis Catholic school shooting
Bill Bienemann, a man who was at the scene, said he spoke with another man who was at Mass in the morning when the shooting broke out. He said he heard “sporadic gunfire.”
“He said it felt like it went on for eternity, but when it stopped, he ran out of the building,” Bienemann said.
Shooter carried three weapons
The shooter was armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol, police said.
He fired from all three weapons. It is not known if he was lawfully carrying the weapons.
Police said he wore black clothing, including cargo-type pants.
Shooting not related to others in city
The shooting does not appear to be related to any other shootings in the city.
Many rounds were fired, police do not have an exact count yet, but described it as in the dozens.
No explosives found
The doors on the side of the church where the shooter approached were barricaded.
No explosives were found but there was a device officers described as a smoke bomb.
Shooter did not have extensive criminal history
The shooter does not have an extensive criminal history, O’Hara said. Police believe it was one suspect.
The shooter was described as being in his early 20s.
Police are still working to determine a motive.
2 children killed, 17 people injured
Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in the shooting.
O’Hara said 17 people were injured, 14 of them children. Two children are in critical condition.
The shooter took his own life.
Shooter fired from outside church
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooting began just before 8 a.m. during a mass at the Annunciation Church.
The service worked the first week of school.
The gunman approached from the outside and began shooting through the windows into the church, hitting students and worshippers.
He was armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol.
2 students reported dead, 7 in critical condition
Two students are dead and seven others in critical condition, the Star Tribune reported.
At least 10 have been taken to a local hospital and five were taken to a pediatric trauma hospital.
At least 5 of those injured are children
At least five of the injured are children, The Associated Press reports, with a pediatric trauma hospital saying five children were admitted for care.
At least 3 dead, as many as 20 injured
Reuters has reported three people are dead, including the shooter, and about 20 are injured.
Officers report 20 victims after shooting
The city of Ritchfield Police Department said officers are reporting 20 victims after the shooting.
On Facebook, the department described the suspect as a man dressed in all black and armed with a rifle.
EMS requested a mass casualty response.
The department said it was increasing staffing out of caution and to assist Minneapolis authorities.
Senators respond to shooting
“I am heartbroken by the horrific violence at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis this morning. My prayers are with the students, teachers, and families, and I am grateful for the first responders who are on the scene,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
“My staff and I are monitoring the situation at Annunciation Catholic School. I’m grateful for the quick response of law enforcement as we continue to gather information. It’s the first week of school. These kids should not be fearing for their lives,” said Sen. Tina Smith.
Trump briefed on Minnesota
“I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” the president said.