President Donald Trump offered prayers, talked to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in response to the Minneapolis school shooting.

On Aug. 27, a shooter fired into the Annunciation Catholic Church, home of a Catholic school just before a morning Mass celebration of the first week of school, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. Two children were killed and 17 others were injured in the attack.

The suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.

What did Trump say about the attack? Here is what to know:

Trump spoke with Gov. Tim Walz, ordered flags at half-mast

"I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene," Trump said on Truth Social on Aug. 27. "The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!"

Trump also spoke with Walz, who ran on the Democratic ticket as former Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate in the 2024 election, according to a pool report.

Walz spoke of the phone call at a news conference recorded by CBS News Minnesota, saying Trump "who was with his leadership team of the attorney general and the vice president, (expressed) their deep condolences amongst the horror that happened and an offer to provide to the support to the folks here in Minnesota of what's needed."

Flags at the White House, public buildings and military posts will be flown at half-staff until Aug. 31, Trump ordered through presidential proclamation.

Is Donald Trump Catholic?

No.

Trump once identified as a Presbyterian, but in 2020 he told Religion News Service he began considering himself a non-denominational Christian.

First lady Melania Trump, however, made news in 2017 when she met the late Pope Francis and revealed she was Catholic when asking the pontiff to bless her rosary beads.

Shooter motivations unclear. Messages included 'kill Donald Trump'

Westman posted videos of documents and weapons on YouTube, which authorities are using in the domestic terror investigation. However, the writings do not immediately point to a motive in the attack.

The suspect is believed to be a former student at the Catholic school, though it is unclear what role that may have played. Federal authorities who have pushed an anti-transgender agenda under the Trump administration are highlighting Westman's identity as a transgender woman. Court records show her mother petitioned for a name change to reflect Westman's identity in 2019, which was later approved by a judge. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey spoke against using the incident to "to villainize our trans community."

Westman appeared to be active in online hate communities.

Part of the messaging the shooter left behind included phrases written on a rifle magazine, including "For the Children" and "Where is your God?" and "Kill Donald Trump," according to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Contributing: Melina Khan, John Bacon, Corey Schmidt, Christopher Cann, Will Carless, Nick Penzenstadler, Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What did Trump say about the Minneapolis school shooting? He spoke with Gov. Tim Walz

Reporting by Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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