Minneapolis Church Shooting Kills 2 Children, Injures 18

An 8-year-old boy named Fletcher Merkel was identified as one of the two children killed in a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis during a school Mass. The 23-year-old shooter, Robin Westman, fired multiple weapons through the church windows, injuring 18 others, mostly children, before dying by suicide. The FBI is investigating the attack as a hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism targeting Catholics, though a clear motive has not been established. Fletcher's father, Jesse Merkel, described his son as loving and active, expressing deep sorrow and gratitude for the heroic actions of others during the attack. Officials reported that most injured victims are expected to survive, with some still hospitalized, including one child in critical condition. The community continues to mourn and seek healing following this tragic event.