Victor, a 10-year-old boy, heroically shielded his friend Halsne Weston during the Minnesota school shooting by lying on top of him and taking a bullet in the back. He has since been released from the hospital and is recovering with his family, hailed as a symbol of courage and friendship.

Weston, who was also injured, had a bullet fragment lodged dangerously close to his carotid artery. He recently underwent successful surgery to remove it, and his family confirms he is expected to make a full physical recovery. Both boys are now on the path to healing after the tragic incident.

Two children were killed and 17 others injured in an incident that the FBI is treating as an anti-Catholic hate crime.

The attacker, named as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have not yet given a suspected motive.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the attacker did not have an “extensive known criminal history”, and acted alone.

Police say they found a “manifesto” that Westman timed to publish on YouTube at the time of the shooting. The FBI assisted officials and took it down.

Westman’s name was legally changed from Robert to Robin in 2020, Minnesota court records show. In the application the judge wrote: “Minor child identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”