On the morning of August 27, 2025, the city of Minneapolis was shaken to its core when a gunman opened fire during a Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church, a place usually filled with the sounds of children’s prayers and laughter. Instead, the church became the site of a tragedy that left two children dead, 18 others wounded, and an entire community grappling with grief, fear, and questions that may never be fully answered.
According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the shooting began at 8:27 a.m., just as students and parishioners gathered to mark the start of the school year. Within minutes, chaos erupted as Robin Westman, 23, fired dozens of rounds through the church windows using a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. In the aftermath, police recovered 116 rifle rounds, three shotgun shells, and a live round from a handgun that had jammed. The shooter, dressed in all black, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The two children killed in the attack were identified as Fletcher Merkel, aged eight, and Harper Moyski, aged 10. Their families, shattered by the loss, shared poignant tributes that captured the innocence and vibrancy of their children. Jesse Merkel, Fletcher’s father, described his son as someone who “loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking and any sport that he was allowed to play.” Fighting back tears, he urged others, “Give your kids an extra hug and kiss today. We love you, Fletcher. You’ll always be with us.”
The parents of Harper Moyski, Michael Moyski and Jackie Flavin, expressed their devastation in a joint statement: “Harper was a bright, joyful, and deeply loved 10-year-old whose laughter, kindness, and spirit touched everyone who knew her. As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.” They added a plea for change, hoping “her memory fuels action” to prevent future tragedies. “No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain. Change is possible, and it is necessary—so that Harper’s story does not become yet another in a long line of tragedies.”
In addition to the two children lost, 18 others were injured—15 of them children between the ages of 6 and 15, and three adults in their 80s. Emergency responders rushed victims to area hospitals, including Hennepin County Medical Center and Children’s Minnesota. While some arrived in critical condition, officials later reported that all injured children were expected to survive. The number of injured rose to 18 after one more child, who had been taken to the hospital by a private vehicle, was identified.
As details emerged, the portrait of the attacker came into focus. Robin Westman, who had previously attended the church’s school, was the child of Mary Grace Westman, a former parish secretary and school administrative assistant. Westman had recently purchased the three firearms legally and had no known criminal record or history of mental health treatment. According to Chief O’Hara, “no law in Minnesota would have prevented Westman from buying the weapons.” Police executed search warrants at three residences linked to Westman, recovering additional firearms and searching electronic devices for further evidence.
Investigators believe Westman had visited the church in the weeks leading up to the shooting, apparently conducting surveillance. During a news conference, O’Hara described the shooter as “obsessed with the idea of killing children” and “deranged,” with a fascination for previous mass shootings. The police chief warned that the public might never get the answers it seeks, as “the shooter wanted to obtain notoriety and was fascinated with previous mass shootings.”
The shooter left behind a manifesto and scheduled a video to post on YouTube as the attack unfolded. Authorities quickly took down the account and began examining its contents. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the attack is being investigated as “an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology.” Patel detailed that Westman had left “multiple anti-Catholic, anti-religious references” on weapons and in notes, and had expressed “hatred and violence toward Jewish people,” including writing “Israel must fall,” “Free Palestine,” and explicit language related to the Holocaust. There was also “an explicit call for violence against President Trump on a firearm magazine.”
Officials have been cautious about releasing information on Westman’s background and motives. While some federal officials referred to Westman as a man, court records show a legal name change in 2020, with a judge noting that “minor child identifies as a female.” Chief O’Hara urged the media to stop using the shooter’s name altogether, emphasizing that “the purpose of the shooter’s actions was to obtain notoriety.” He pointed out a troubling trend: “Like so many other mass shooters that we have seen in this country too often and around the world, [Westman] had some deranged fascination with previous mass shootings.”
Witnesses recounted scenes of terror and heartbreak. Patrick Scallen, who lives near the church, described seeing children fleeing, bloodied and desperate for help. “She kept saying, ‘please hold my hand, don’t leave me,’ and I said I wasn’t going anywhere,” Scallen told the BBC. Vincent Francoual, whose 11-year-old daughter Chloe was in the church, reflected on the grim reality facing American families: “We live in a country where we train kids what to do. And she did what she had to do. Here it’s a pattern. It’s no longer a freak accident.”
In the aftermath, local and national leaders expressed their condolences and called for action. President Trump, briefed on the events, ordered flags flown at half-staff until August 31 as a mark of respect for the victims. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey both voiced their sorrow, with Frey urging, “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school, they were in a church. These were kids that should be learning with their friends. They should be playing on the playground. They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence, and their parents should have the same kind of assurance.”
Mayor Frey and others called for stricter gun laws, specifically targeting assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. “There is no reason that someone should be able to reel off 30 shots before they even have to reload,” he said. “We’re not talking about your father’s hunting rifle here. We’re talking about guns that are built to pierce armour and kill people.”
As Minneapolis mourns, the pain is raw and the questions are many. The tragedy at Annunciation Catholic Church stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even the most sacred spaces, and the urgent need for meaningful action to prevent such horrors from repeating. For now, the city grieves, holding close the memories of Fletcher and Harper, and hoping that their stories might finally spur the change so many have called for.
