A tragic mass shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis left two children dead and 17 others wounded on Wednesday when a gunman opened fire through stained-glass windows during a school Mass.
Police identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who was armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. Authorities said Westman fired dozens of rounds into the packed sanctuary of Annunciation Catholic School before taking their own life at the rear of the church.
Law enforcement use a K-9 dog to search a nearby neighborhood, after a shooting at Annunciation Church, which is also home to an elementary school, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. August 27, 2025. REUTERS/Tim Evans
Children Among the Victims
The attack claimed the lives of two children, ages 8 and 10, while 14 other students aged 6 to 18 were injured, along with three elderly parishioners in their 80s. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said all survivors are expected to recover.
“The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” O’Hara said.
The annual Mass marked the start of the new academic year at Annu nciation, which serves about 395 students. Witnesses described chaos as students tried to shield each other and worshippers dove behind pews. Some exits were found barricaded from the outside.
Families and loved ones reunite outside the police barricades after a shooting at Annunciation Church, which is also home to an elementary school, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. August 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ben Brewer
Suspect’s Background
Officials confirmed that Westman, a former student at the school, left behind a manifesto and suicide note referencing past mass shooters, depression, and political grievances. Authorities also recovered additional weapons at other locations linked to the suspect.
The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.
Public records show Westman, previously known as Robert, changed their name in 2020 and identified as female. Relatives declined to comment when contacted.
Families and loved ones walk outside the police barricades after a shooting at Annunciation Church, which is also home to an elementary school, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. August 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ben Brewer
Political and Community Reactions
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristie Noem condemned the suspect’s actions, calling them a “deranged monster” who targeted children.
At a press conference, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged restraint against politicizing the tragedy:
“Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community, or any other community out there, has lost their sense of common humanity,” Frey said, also pointing to the easy availability of firearms as a driver of mass shootings in the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered flags nationwide to fly at half-staff in mourning.
An officer with the Hennepin County Sheriff looks on outside a shooting at Annunciation Church, which is also home to an elementary school, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. August 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ben Brewer
Growing Pattern of Violence
The incident marked the 146th shooting at a U.S. primary or secondary school since January, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database. Unlike most school shootings, the assailant fired from outside into the church, turning the sacred gathering into a scene of devastation.
Police confirmed Westman had no criminal record and acted alone. Recently employed at a Minnesota cannabis dispensary, the suspect was no longer working there.
Fifth-grader Weston Halsne, who witnessed the attack, told CBS News: “The shots were like, right next to me. I think I got like gunpowder on my neck.”
As the community reels, officials stressed the attack was unrelated to three other shootings in Minneapolis over the past 24 hours. Still, the city faces mounting concerns over rising homicides and ongoing struggles with gun violence.
