Crime
13-Year-Old Endre Gunter Identified as First Surviving Victim of Minneapolis School Shooting, Recovering After Surgery
MINNEAPOLIS — The first surviving victim of Wednesday’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church has been publicly identified, and his family says he is now out of surgery and recovering.
Thirteen-year-old Endre Gunter was among the 17 people injured when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire inside the church during a back-to-school Mass shortly after 8:30 a.m., according to police.
Westman, who identified as a transgender woman, fired multiple rounds through the stained-glass windows into the congregation, which was filled with children and parishioners.
Endre’s mother, Danielle Gunter, said her son was struck in the stomach during the attack and was rushed into surgery. “Our son was shot at school today, inside a church praying with his classmates,” she said in a statement, adding that he is now in recovery.
Danielle expressed deep gratitude to the Minneapolis police officer who immediately came to her son’s aid. “The officer rendered aid, hugged him, reassured him, and prayed with him before getting into the ambulance,” she said, calling the officer’s actions heroic.
The family said they are now focused on helping Endre heal physically and emotionally, working to “rebuild his life, his trust, and his confidence.”
Authorities confirmed that two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in the shooting. In total, 17 people were injured, including 14 children between the ages of 6 and 15 and three elderly parishioners in their 80s, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported.
All injured victims are expected to survive.
Westman was later found dead inside the church from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The investigation into the attack remains ongoing, as the community continues to mourn the loss of two young lives while rallying around the survivors.
Christian County, Mo. — Authorities have identified the suspect accused of fatally shooting a deputy with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop as Richard Bird.
At the time the Blue Alert was issued, the suspect had not yet been taken into custody.
According to law enforcement officials, the deputy initiated a traffic stop involving a 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck along State Highway 160 near Highlandville.
During the stop, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding the deputy before fleeing the scene.
The suspect was reported to have traveled southbound on Highway 160 following the shooting.
Authorities described the suspect vehicle as a black 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck equipped with a silver brush guard, black body trim, tinted rear windows, and a three-ball trailer hitch. The vehicle was bearing Missouri license plate 9MG-X36.
A statewide Blue Alert was issued to notify the public and assist in locating the suspect.
Law enforcement officials urged residents not to approach the vehicle or suspect if located, but instead to immediately call 911 and provide detailed information while remaining at a safe distance.
Christian County is situated south of Springfield and north of Branson, an area that sees significant travel due to its proximity to the Ozarks.
Multiple agencies across the region coordinated efforts in response to the alert.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting or the status of the investigation.
Law enforcement officials expressed their condolences to the deputy’s family, colleagues, and the community as they continue to pursue justice in the case.