Authorities say Minneapolis school shooter was 'obsessed with killing children'

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is The World Now.

Starting in the United States, where investigations into Wednesday's deadly shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis revealed evidence indicating the shooter was obsessed with killing children.

On Thursday, officials announced that the gunman, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, was a former student of the school.

Investigators uncovered writings and expressions demonstrating Westman's plan, mental state, and a fascination with previous mass school shooters.

The acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota stated that Westman was "obsessed with the idea of killing children," and authorities noted hate-filled messages targeting almost every community imaginable, including Catholics, Jews, and even President Trump.

The shooting is being investigated as both an anti-Catholic hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism.

Westman fired 116 rifle rounds and multiple shotgun blasts through locked church windows during a back-to-school Mass. Two children were killed while 18 people were injured. Westman also died from a self-inflicted gun wound.