Investigators say that the attacker who opened fire on pupils as they were praying at a church in Minneapolis was "obsessed with the idea of killing children".
Robin Westman, who killed two children and injured 18 others, did not seem to have any specific motive, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.
The attacker "appeared to hate all of us", the chief said on Thursday, adding: "More than anything, the shooter wanted to kill children".
The murdered children have been identified by family as Fletcher Merkel, eight, and Harper Moyski, 10. "Yesterday, a coward decided to take our eight-year-old son Fletcher away from us," his father, Jesse Merkel, told reporters. "We will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming," he said. "Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and any sport that he was allowed to play." "Please remember Fletcher for the person he was and not the act that ended his life," he continued, choking back tears. "Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today.
