Communities gathered at a candlelight vigil in Lynnhurst Park, Minneapolis on Wednesday with Minnesota lawmakers urging national action on gun control following a deadly shooting at a Catholic church earlier that day which killed two children and wounded 17 people.
Authorities said the attack was carried out by 23-year-old Robin Westman who carried three guns. He fired through stained-glass windows into the Annunciation Church where an all-school mass was being held to mark the start of the academic year.
The two children who died were 8 and 10-years-old.
Those who were wounded, 14 of them were students ages 6 to 18 and three parishioners in their 80s.
It sent worshippers diving behind pews for cover while older children scrambled to shield younger ones, officials said. At least two of the church exits were blocked by wooden planks barricaded outside the doors, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said.
Officials said the incident ended when Westman “took his own life” at the rear of the church and added that he did not have a criminal record and appeared to have acted alone.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called for stricter gun laws, saying, “We need to think and pray about banning these weapons of war.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar praised the courage of teachers and church staff, adding, “Sixth graders should not have to protect first graders. We should be doing that.” Their presence highlighted the urgent need for both community solidarity and national policy change in response to gun violence.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar also highlighted the need for national legislative action, stating, “You can change whatever laws you want in Minneapolis or Minnesota, but if we do not change the laws of these United States of America, none of our kids are going to be safe.”
Authorities confirmed that the shooting does not appear related to three other incidents in Minneapolis over the past 24 hours, including one at a Jesuit high school.
The vigil brought together local leaders, state officials, and residents to mourn the victims while emphasising the importance of taking action to prevent future tragedies.
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claim...
Twelve people have been arrested in connection with an alleged extreme right-wing terrorism plot targeting a major Islamic gathering in Suffolk, promp...
Ukraine and a group of key Western allies have launched a new air defence coalition to develop a European anti-ballistic missile system that will comp...
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
Twelve people have been arrested in connection with an alleged extreme right-wing terrorism plot targeting a major Islamic gathering in Suffolk, prompting counter-terrorism police to declare a major incident and bring the event to an early close.
Ukraine and a group of key Western allies have launched a new air defence coalition to develop a European anti-ballistic missile system that will complement existing defences and reduce reliance on the costly U.S.-made Patriot system.
Two endangered loggerhead sea turtles have been released into the Mediterranean from Türkiye's Antalya province as part of a conservation project to track their migration and strengthen protection efforts.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
Qatar is mourning the death of its former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has passed away at the age of 74.
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
Twelve people have been arrested in connection with an alleged extreme right-wing terrorism plot targeting a major Islamic gathering in Suffolk, prompting counter-terrorism police to declare a major incident and bring the event to an early close.
Ukraine and a group of key Western allies have launched a new air defence coalition to develop a European anti-ballistic missile system that will complement existing defences and reduce reliance on the costly U.S.-made Patriot system.
Russian athletes will once again be allowed to represent their country in international modern pentathlon competitions after the sport's governing body lifted restrictions on their participation, marking another step in Russia's return to international sport.
The AFC/M23 rebel movement is using its response to a small Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as evidence of its ability to govern territory under its control, establishing parallel health structures and relying partly on support from neighbouring Rwanda.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment