Disturbing new details from local and federal law enforcement about the shooter's motivation in Wednesday's tragedy at Annunciation Church in south Minneapolis.
"I won't dignify the shooter's words by repeating them. They are horrific and vile, but in short, the shooter wanted to watch children suffer," said Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson on Thursday.
He says they combed through hundreds of pages of Robin Westman's writings.
"More than anything, The shooter wanted to kill children. Defenseless children. The shooter was obsessed. With the idea of killing children," Thompson explains.
Authorities say Westman was obsessed with, and idolized, other school shooters and mass murderers. They also say his sole intent was to terrorize and kill.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said 116 rounds from a rifle were fired into the church. Two children were killed, and 18 other people injured.
"The reality is this is an unthinkable, completely senseless act," says O'Hara. "Violence perpetrated against children worshiping at mass."
Authorities say the 23-year-old shooter fired more than 100 rifle rounds through the windows of the church at Annunciation Catholic School before dying by suicide.
O'Hara said Thursday that the shooter was a former Annunciation student and had previously been a member of the church. He says they're uncovering more details as the investigation continues.
"There were four search warrants that were executed yesterday, one at the church, the others were executed at residences believed to be associated with the shooter. Additional evidence was recovered as a result of these warrants," O'Hara explained. "Literally hundreds of pieces of evidence have been recovered thus far, which include electronic devices that will be further searched and processed."
Law enforcement also confirmed that they have identified a total of 20 victims that had injuries resulting from gunfire, including the 8 and 10-year old who were killed.