New Evidence Released in Minnesota Catholic School Shooting: Victims and Shooter's Motives Revealed

Victims Remembered

• 💔 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel was identified by his father, remembered for his love of family, friends, fishing, cooking, and sports.
• ✨ 10-year-old Harper Moyski, a bright and joyful child, is mourned as a loving big sister.
• 🏥 Sophia Fortress, 12, is in the ICU in critical condition, with her mother, a pediatric nurse, discovering she was among the injured.
• 🙏 13-year-old Andre underwent emergency surgery after being shot twice, asking his surgeon to pray for him.
• 🛡️ Victor bravely shielded his friend when the shots began.

Shooter's Profile and Motives

• 🎯 The shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, had a fascination with past mass shooters and left behind hundreds of pages of writings expressing hate.
• 🧒 Westman stated his interest in school shootings began in seventh grade and that his primary motive was to kill defenseless children.
• ammunition recovered from the scene included 116 rifle rounds.

Attack Details

• ⛪ Investigators believe Westman intended to attack inside the church, but the doors were locked as mass had begun.
• 🏃 Some students hid under pews, while others, including the speaker, ran to a prek room.
• ⚡ The shooting started with slow shots that gradually increased in speed and frequency.