A Kentucky connection to the deadly Catholic school shootings today in Minneapolis.

Police say a shooter opened fire during mass at the school, killing two children and injuring 17 other people before killing himself.

The Minneapolis police chief says the shooter approached the side of the church this morning and shot through the windows toward children sitting in pews during mass at the Annunciation Catholic School.

Police say the shooter was Robin Westman, the nephew of former Republican Kentucky state lawmaker Bob Bell.

Ringer Hal Ringer has commented.

He says he did not know the accused shooter well and was confounded by the violence.

He says it's an unspeakable tragedy.

We're praying for my sister and her other children and also obviously for these poor, poor children and quote, hell.

Ringer said he last saw Westman at a family wedding 3 or 4 years ago.