New details released about killer in Catholic school shooting

Police have released new details about the killer in the US Catholic school shooting - including that they "idolised" mass murderers and they wanted to "watch children suffer".

Two children, aged eight and 10, were killed during mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday. One of the victims has been named as Fletcher Merkel - click here to read more Eighteen other people were injured, including children aged between six and 15 and three adults in their 80s.

Police said Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman, opened fire with a rifle through the windows of the school's church as children sat in pews. Almost 120 rifle rounds fired, police chief says In a news conference on Thursday, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said the attacker fired 116 rifle rounds into the church.

"It is very clear that this shooter had the intention to terrorise those innocent children," he added. The police chief said the killer "fantasised" about the plans of other mass shooting attackers and wanted to "obtain notoriety".

When asked about the attacker obtaining the firearms used legally, Mr O'Hara said that they did not have a criminal history or any diagnosed mental health disorders. While they had potentially concerning social media posts, the police chief added that there was no evidence to suggest that Westman was legally barred from purchasing a firearm.

Suspect 'wanted to watch children suffer' Joe Thompson, acting US attorney for Minnesota, also said evidence recovered of the killer's plans showed "pure indiscriminate hate" and that they "idolised some of the most notorious school shooters and mass murderers in our country's history". "I won't dignify the shooter's words by repeating them," Mr Thompson added.

"They are horrific and vile, but in short, the shooter wanted to watch children suffer." Earlier, the mayor of Minneapolis called for a statewide and federal ban on assault weapons after the deadly attack, saying "thoughts and prayers are not going to cut it". "There is no reason that someone should be able to reel off 30 shots before they even have to reload," Jacob Frey said.

"We're not talking about your father's hunting rifle gear. We're talking about guns that are built to pierce armour and kill people." Thomas Klemond, interim CEO of Minneapolis's main trauma hospital Hennepin Healthcare, said at a news conference that the hospital was treating nine patients injured in the shooting.

One child at the hospital was in a critical condition, he added. Children's Minnesota Hospital also said that three children remain in its care as of Thursday morning.

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