Witnesses to a mass shooting in the US city of Minneapolis described the terrifying scenes after an attacker opened fire on a church during a children's Mass on Wednesday morning.
One young boy recounted how his friend saved him from harm by taking the bullets himself. During the shooting, two children lost their lives, and 17 others sustained injuries. The FBI is treating the incident as an anti-Catholic hate crime.
The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities are yet to establish a motive.
The young survivor, 10-year-old Weston Halsne, told CBS affiliate WCCO that his friend, Victor, laid on top of him to protect him. I was super scared for him, but I think now he's okay, Weston added, expressing relief that Victor survived despite being hit.
Weston explained his school drills prepared him for such situations, but nothing could have prepared him for an attack in the church. We practice it every month, but not in the church, only in the school, he noted.
Westman approached the church, which houses a school, and fired dozens of shots through the windows with three firearms. A smoke bomb was also recovered from the scene.
Witness accounts described the confusion among locals who mistook the gunfire for construction noise. As the situation unfolded, it quickly became apparent that children were being evacuated, some covered in blood, triggering immediate emergency responses.
In a community vigil for the victims held later that evening, residents expressed grief and anger, condemning the routine nature of such tragedies. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz reflected on the ongoing issue of gun violence across the country.
As investigations continue, the incident has reignited discussions on school safety and the prevalence of gun violence in America, with many calling for action to prevent future tragedies.
