Police asked about killer’s motive and connections to church

Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara is taking questions from the media at the end of the briefing.

He says all of those injured in the shooting are expected to survive.

“There are a range of injuries,” he adds.

“I believe all of them have their parents with the now, they are all expected to survive.”

Asked about a motive, O’Hara says he has no information to share other than the manifesto that was scheduled to come out on YouTube.

“I cannot confirm a relationship between the suspect or his family and the church at this time, but that’s obviously something we’re looking very closely at,” he adds.

Headteacher of targeted school speaks at briefing

Matt DeBoer, the headteacher of the Annunciation Catholic Church School that was attacked, says “dream team” staffers helped the children in the church at the time of the shooting. 

“To any of our students and families and staff watching right now, I love you,” he says. 

“You’re so brave and I’m so sorry this happened.” 

DeBoer adds: “There’s an African proverb that says when you pray, move your feet. So I beg you, I ask you to please pray, but don’t stop with your words. 

“Let’s make a difference and support this community, these children, these families, these teachers. Never again can we let this happen.” 

Police chief says killer scheduled manifesto to be released on YouTube

Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara says the killer had scheduled a manifesto to be released on YouTube.

O’Hara says it “appeared to show him at the scene and included some disturbing writings”.

He adds that the content has now been taken down with the assistance of the FBI.

“We know this community is reeling and is in pain,” he says.

“I want to ensure everyone in our community, this parish, all of the families affected and all of our residents… we are working tirelessly to uncover the full scope of what happened.”

Suspect was 23 and three adults in 80s injured

The city’s police chief Brian O’Hara speaks at the briefing now.

He says that three adults in their 80s were among the victims injured in the attack.

He also confirms the suspect Robin Westman is 23, is believed to have acted alone in the attack and had lawfully purchased the rifle, pistol and shotgun used in the attack.

Minneapolis mayor calls for action on gun violence and hits out at those ‘villainising trans community’

The mayor of Minneapolis Jacob Frey is speaking to the media for the second time today.

He says the “Minneapolis family” has stepped up in “thousands of different ways” after the shooting.

“The way that they acted during the severe threat and danger was nothing short of heroic,” he says.

“This is a tragic and horrible event that should never occur.”

Frey uses his speech to call for action: “I think the impetus has to be on all of us as leaders to do a whole lot more to recognise that we’ve got more guns in this country than we have people.

“It’s on all of us to recognise the truth and the reality that we can’t just say that this shouldn’t happen again and then allow it to happen again and again.”

Frey adds that “anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainise our trans community or any other community out there has lost their sense of common humanity”.


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