Investigators say that the attacker who opened fire on pupils as they were praying at a church in Minneapolis was obsessed with the idea of killing children.
Robin Westman, who killed two children and injured 18 others, did not seem to have any specific motive, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.
The attacker appeared to hate all of us, the chief said on Thursday, adding: More than anything, the shooter wanted to kill children.
The murdered children have been identified by family as Fletcher Merkel, eight, and Harper Moyski, 10.
Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us, his father, Jesse Merkel, told reporters.
We will never be allowed 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 said.
Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and any sport that he was allowed to play.
Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life, he continued, choking back tears.
Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today. We love you, Fletcher. You'll always be with us.
The parents of Harper Moyski, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, said in a statement that their daughter was a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her.
The family said that Harper's little sister adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss.
Officials have released few details so far about the suspect's background but have confirmed she had previously attended the church's school. The 23-year-old suspect approached the Annunciation Church, which also houses a school, and fired dozens of shots through the windows using three firearms. Witnesses described harrowing scenes of children fleeing the church, begging for help. The shooter died at the scene of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
US officials identified the act as motivated by hate-filled ideology aimed especially at certain community groups. Calls for stricter gun laws have intensified in the aftermath, with local leaders advocating for a ban on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons, emphasizing the devastating impact of such tragedies on families and their communities.
