A young pupil at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, who was present during Wednesday’s fatal shooting, has recounted the terrifying moment his classmate was shot whilst protecting him from the gunman.
Weston Halsne, 10, told local broadcaster KARE in an interview after the shooting that he crouched beneath a pew and shielded his head as gunfire shattered the stained glass windows of the Catholic school just three minutes after a celebratory back-to-school Mass packed with children commenced around 8.30am.
The youngster explained that his swift response to the shooting stemmed from routine school shooting drills he and his mate Victor had rehearsed at school.
“My friend Victor, like saved me, though, because he laid on top of me, but he got hit,” Halsne told reporters. “Three minutes in, the first shot fired and the police were really good cause they showed up really quick. It was super scary. [Victor’s] really brave and I hope he’s good in the hospital.”
Halsne said he is praying for all those injured during the shooting, but noted he felt a sense of relief when he finally got to hug his mum.
The gunman opened fire Wednesday morning during Mass at a Minneapolis Catholic school, killing two children and injuring 17 other people before killing himself, officials said.
Police said 14 of the injured were children, with their ages ranging from 6 to 15, and they are all expected to survive. The three adults who were injured are parishioners in their 80s, officials said.
The identities of the two victims who tragically lost their lives have yet to be publicly disclosed, leaving it uncertain whether Halsne’s friend Victor was among them , reports the Mirror US.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara revealed in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that all victims are anticipated to pull through, despite suffering from a variety of injuries.
O’Hara also shared that a large number of officers were called to the scene of the shooting and many, along with the children and staff present at the church, are deeply traumatised by the horrific incident they witnessed.
The shooter was identified as 23 year old Robin Westman by O’Hara, who added that Westman had no previous criminal record and is believed to have acted alone in this dreadful act.
O’Hara confirmed that authorities were aware of a supposed manifesto, which the shooter had scheduled for release on YouTube. He further stated that the video has since been removed and is currently under active investigation.
