The attacker in a Catholic church school shooting in Minnesota that killed two children and injured 18 others arrived at the scene heavily armed with an AR-15-style rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and a 9mm pistol, according to court records obtained by the St. Cloud Times, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Among items police found at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis was ammunition, a 2x4 wood board with what appeared to be smoke canisters affixed to it and a belt of magazine pouches around the suspect's body. The items are detailed in search warrant affidavits filed in Hennepin County District Court by Minneapolis police.
Police found the suspected shooter, Robin Westman, 23, at the back of the church dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The 23-year-old wore a mask and black "tactical" gear, according to police affidavits. The two children who died - Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10 — were found in the pews, according to the records.
Westman drove to the church in a gray Ram ProMaster City utility van with Minnesota plates, according to Minneapolis police records. The car belonged to the suspect’s father, according to a police affidavit.
Revelations about what police found at the scene come days after the attack on Aug. 27 that left 15 other children and three parishioners in their 80s injured. The school is for grades preschool through 8th grade.
