Minneapolis school shooter 'fired 116 rounds' and was 'obsessed with killing kids'

The Minneapolis school shooter was 'obsessed' with slaughtering youngsters and discharged 116 rifle rounds when he unleashed terror at a church filled with praying children , authorities have revealed.

Two youngsters perished and a further 15 sustained injuries when 24 year old Robin Westman targeted the city's Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday. Three adult worshippers attending the service, which was taking place during the opening week of the new academic year, were also hurt.

The gunman died from a self-inflicted bullet wound. During a press briefing today, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed officers had retrieved approximately 116 rifle rounds, one live cartridge from a handgun, and three shotgun shells from the location. The tragedy was reported just days after an "active shooter" alert at the University of Arkansas saw students barricaded in their library.

Mr O'Hara stated the pistol "appears to have malfunctioned as the shooter attempted to use it and became stuck in the chamber." , reports the Mirror.

'Obsessed with killing children'

Joe Thompson, the acting US attorney for Minnesota, meanwhile outlined how Westman had been "obsessed" with the concept of murdering children and had conducted reconnaissance of his intended target in the months preceding the assault.

He added that investigators were still examining evidence but had confirmed the suspect's disturbing preoccupation with school killers. Officers disclosed that within the previous three months, the attacker had visited the Annunciation Catholic Church, entering the premises to carry out what law enforcement officials described as "preoperational surveillance".

Westman, the suspect in the recent mass shooting, had previously attended Mass and school at the location of the incident, according to officials. Brian O'Hara, the Minneapolis police chief, revealed that the shooter was seeking notoriety.

He also confirmed that the school's doors were locked from the inside during Mass, a safety measure that likely saved many lives.

No evidence of criminal past

O'Hara further stated that there was no evidence to suggest that the shooter had acquired weapons illegally or had any criminal record. "I am not aware of the shooter having had a diagnosis of a mental health issue," he added.

Surveillance footage from the church confirmed that the attacker did not enter the building.

Authorities have discovered a YouTube channel, believed to belong to Westman, which featured videos of weapons, ammunition, and the names of previous mass shooters. The shooter's apparent suicide note to his family revealed long-standing plans for the attack and expressed deep depression.

'Kill Donald Trump'

The now-removed videos displayed weapons and ammunition, marked with phrases such as "kill Donald Trump" and "Where is your God?" alongside the names of past mass shooters. Hundreds of pages written in Cyrillic were also found, one of which contained Westman's question: "When will it end?".

Investigators confirmed that there were no prior arrests or any factors in the shooter's background that would have legally prevented Westman from purchasing a firearm.

The tragic incident claimed the life of an eight year old boy, who has been described as 'wonderful'.

Victim named

The eight year old boy tragically killed in the shooting has been identified as Fletcher Mitchell. His father, Jessie, gave a heart-wrenching statement to NBC News, condemning the killer for robbing them of the chance to "hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming."

He further shared: "Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and any sports that he was allowed to play. While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing."

A 10 year old girl who also tragically lost her life in the shooting has not yet been named.