Innocence shattered. School children
confronting a trauma beyond their years.
The pupils of Annunciation Catholic
School, primary age, were at mass when
they came under gunfire through the
church windows.
>> The first one I was like, "What is
that?" I thought it was just something.
Then I heard it again. I just ran under
the pew and then I covered my head. My
friend Victor like saved me though cuz
he laid on top of me, but he got hit.
The children were seated on one side of
the aisle, parents on the other. People
living nearby heard the gunfire.
>> I I was shocked. I I I said there's no
way that that could be gunfire. There
was so much of it. So it was sporadic.
So it was a semi-automatic. It seemed
like a rifle. It certainly didn't sound
like a handgun.
>> It breaks my heart. Makes me sick to my
stomach knowing that there's probably
people I know that are either injured or
maybe they were even killed. Um, it
doesn't make me feel safe at all with
this community that I've been a part of
>> for so long.
>> Armed with a shotgun, rifle, and pistol,
the attacker fired dozens of rounds,
leaving two children dead, 17 people
wounded.
>> This was a deliberate act of violence
against innocent children and other
people worshiping.
The sheer cruelty
and cowardice of firing into a church
full of children is absolutely
incomprehensible.
President Trump urged people to pray,
though sentiments not enough for the
mayor of Minneapolis. And
>> don't just say this is about thoughts
and prayers right now. These kids were
literally praying. It was the first week
of school. They were in a church.
These are kids that should be learning
with their friends.
They should be playing on the
playground.
They should be able to go to school or
church in peace without the fear or risk
of violence. And their parents should
have the same kind of assurance.
>> The shooter, who died from a
self-inflicted gunshot wound, has been
identified as Robin Westman. A manifesto
posted online included a handdrawn
sketch of the layout of a church. The
FBI says it's investigating the shooting
as an act of domestic terrorism against
Catholics. There'll be many questions,
but for now, this is a community in
mourning.
>> Okay.
>> The relief of some dwarfed by the grief
of others.
>> We lost two angels today. And please
continue to pray for those still
receiving care.
We can't change the past,
but we can do something about the
future.
>> Flags lowered at the White House
honoring school children killed in a
mass shooting in the first week of the
academic year.