Gunman Open Fire During School Mass For Minneapolis Church, Wound Some Pikin

Gunman open fire during school Mass for Minneapolis church, wound some pikin as the community and leaders dey express shock and grief. Authorities for Minneapolis dey talk say dem still dey investigate the motive behind the deadly attack on church wey injure plenty children and worshippers, and e don spark shock, grief and anger across the community. Police Chief Brian O’Hara condemn the assault, tell reporters: “This na deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people wey dey worship. The wickedness wey person go get to dey shoot inside church wey full of small pikin no make sense at all.” The attack happen just before 08:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Wednesday for Annunciation Church for southern Minneapolis, wey still get school for children aged five to fourteen. Police talk say the gunman approach the side of the church and fire dozens of shots through the windows using three guns, a rifle, shotgun and a pistol. Officers also recover one smoke bomb for the scene. Officials dey try find out whether suspect enter the building or not as no bullet casings dey inside the church. One neighbour, Patrick Scallen, wey run go church after he hear gunfire, tell BBC say he see children dey run comot. “I see three children running from church, one of them na girl wey her head dey bleed. She tell me say ‘Please hold my hand, don’t leave me’ and I tell her say I no dey go anywhere.” One 10‑year‑old boy wey survive the attack talk say him friend save his life by covering am from bullets. He tell CBS affiliate WCCO: “I dey like two seats away from the stained‑glass window. My friend, Victor, save me because he lay on top of me, but dem shoot my friend for back but dem carry am go hospital, I fear for am but I think he dey okay now.”

As night fall, plenty mourners gather for the church, leave flowers and prayers. Plenty people talk say dem no fit believe such attack fit happen at the start of a school Mass for new term. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, pay tribute to the victims, say wetin happen no sweet im belle. Investigators later identify the suspected gunman as Robin Westman, whose mother, Mary Grace Westman, dey work for the school before she retire in 2021. Police say Westman don prepare note wey dem suppose post online at the time of the attack but dem don delete am since then. Court records show say Westman legally change name and gender identification in 2020, when judge note: “Minor child identifies as a female and want make her name reflect that identification.” For press conference, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemn the wave of hostility wey dey come against transgender community after the attack. But Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem describe Westman as “a man, claiming to be transgender,” and for social media, Congressman Patel call the suspect “a male.” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz say President Donald Trump don reach out with condolences and offer federal assistance. “The situation too common no be only for Minnesota, but across the country,” Walz talk. “I hope say no community or school ever go through day like this.” Trump later announce say US flag go dey fly at half‑mast for White House to honor the victims.