Minneapolis businesses, neighbors near school targeted in mass shooting offering help to community
Multiple southwest Minneapolis businesses and residents are stepping up and doing whatever they can to help following a deadly mass shooting Wednesday at an Annunciation Catholic Church service packed with young students.
A nearby restaurant, Mac's Fish and Chips at 610 West 54th St., offered free meals and drinks to the community.
A spokesperson for the restaurant said in an email, "Please let as many people in the area know that they can use our space. Restrooms, beverages, meals on us."
Mac's Fish and Chips is also raising money for Annunciation's September fundraiser.
At F45, about a block from the shooting, employees are doing what they can in the wake of the tragedy.
"We had staff and children gather in our parking lot. I checked in with them to make sure if they were OK," Malena Maxwell, a coach at F45, said.
Staff members at the gym are still reeling after the shooting of one of their own: gym DJ Justin Marshall a month ago.
"We are providing support to police and EMS as we can," Maxwell said. "We've canceled classes for the day just to give space for the community."
Over at Lyndale Kowalskis, employees are doing what they can for first responders and community members, even paying for their meals.
"It's been tough for a lot of the employees and customers," Jake Durant, security director for Kowalskis, said. "Just getting ice for our first responders and community members out there. So we do have our ice case here, we just stocked it up from the back and replenished it."
A southwest Minneapolis neighbor named Leslie thought she should bring her therapy dog, Remy, to comfort parents and their children.
"Watching on TV and and thought it was something I could do to help," she said.
An 8-year-old and a 10-year-old were killed while they sat in the pews. Twenty-one others are injured, 18 of whom are children. Two of the victims are in critical condition. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara announced on Wednesday afternoon that all victims are expected to survive.
Law enforcement sources tell WCCO the shooter was 23-year-old Robin Westman. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said Westman had no extensive criminal history.
The shooter also fired a shotgun and a pistol and ultimately died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the back of the church.