Washington [US], August 29: US investigators were searching for a motive on Thursday after a shooting at a Catholic church in Minnesota left two children dead.
The FBI is investigating whether Wednesday's crime in Minneapolis could be classified as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics. Many details remain unclear.
The perpetrator fired through the windows of a church during a school service, targeting children sitting in pews. Two children, aged eight and 10, died at the scene, while 14 children and three adults were injured.
According to CNN, citing a 2017 yearbook photo, the suspect may have previously attended the school. The New York Times meanwhile reported that the suspect's mother may have worked in the church office.
Investigators suspect the perpetrator may have planned to enter the church during the attack but was unable to break through the locked doors.
One of the weapons belonging to the 23-year-old suspect, who committed suicide after the shooting, reportedly bore graffiti.
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on X: "This deranged monster targeted our most vulnerable: young children praying in their first morning Mass of the school year."
"This deeply sick murderer scrawled the words 'For the Children' and 'Where is your God?' and 'Kill Donald Trump' on a rifle magazine," she added.
According to Noem, the suspect identified as transgender. Transgender individuals are those who do not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth.
Police obtained video material from YouTube attributed to the suspect which included "disturbing" text.
Source: Qatar Tribune
