The city of Minneapolis is reeling after a devastating act of violence shattered the first week of school at Annunciation Catholic School, a 102-year-old institution nestled about five miles south of downtown. On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, what should have been a typical morning Mass for nearly 200 children turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak. At approximately 8:15 a.m., a shooter opened fire from outside the Annunciation Catholic Church, sending dozens of rounds through its windows and into the pews where children and parishioners had gathered.
According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the shooter—identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman—was armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. Westman, dressed in all black, fired from outside the church, targeting the congregation during the third day of the new school year. The attack left two children, aged eight and ten, dead and injured at least 17 others, including 14 children and three elderly parishioners. The wounded ranged in age from six to 15, and while some were in critical condition, authorities said they were expected to survive. The shooter died at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police confirmed.
The violence unfolded with a chilling swiftness. Witnesses described hearing as many as 50 shots over several minutes. Bill Bienemann, a longtime parishioner who lives nearby, told AP, “I was shocked. I said, ‘There’s no way that could be gunfire.’” Inside the church, children and adults scrambled for safety. Fifth-grader Weston Halsne recounted to reporters how he ducked for cover, shielded by a friend who was struck by gunfire. “I was super scared for him, but I think now he’s okay,” the 10-year-old shared, adding that he was praying for the other hospitalized children and adults.
Police and first responders rushed to the scene, immediately entering the church to administer first aid and rescue children hiding throughout the building. The response included local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, with a reunification zone established at a nearby location for anxious parents to pick up their children. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised the heroism of both teachers and students, stating, “Children were ducked down. Adults were protecting children. Older children were protecting younger children.”
The trauma of the morning was palpable. Danielle Gunter, the mother of an eighth-grade boy who was shot, relayed her son’s gratitude for a Minneapolis police officer who “really helped him” by providing aid and a comforting hug before he was taken to the hospital. Vincent Francoual’s 11-year-old daughter, Chloe, survived by hiding in a room with a table pressed against the door. “She told us today that she thought she was going to die,” Francoual recounted.
Medical centers across Minneapolis mobilized to care for the wounded. Hennepin Healthcare treated 10 patients, mostly children between six and 14 years old. Seven arrived in critical condition, with four requiring surgery. As of Wednesday evening, one adult and five children remained in critical care. Children’s Minnesota, another local hospital, confirmed it was treating six children, with several already discharged by late afternoon.
As the city grappled with the aftermath, officials and faith leaders gathered for a vigil at a nearby school gym. Hundreds prayed, wept, and consoled one another as Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Archbishop Bernard Hebda joined the mourners. Hebda reflected on the tragedy, invoking the inscription at the front of Annunciation Church: “House of God and the gate of heaven.” He asked, “How is it that such a terrible tragedy could take place in a place that’s the house of God and the gate of heaven? It’s unthinkable.”
The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, quickly classified the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics. Investigators have yet to identify a clear motive, but are examining disturbing social media posts and videos linked to Westman. On a YouTube channel attributed to the shooter, at least two videos were posted before being removed. In one, Westman displayed a cache of weapons and ammunition, some marked with phrases such as “kill Donald Trump” and “Where is your God?” Another video showed Westman stabbing a drawing of the church. The authenticity and timing of these posts remain under investigation.
Westman’s background has added complexity to the case. Federal officials referred to Westman as transgender, citing a 2020 court-approved name change petition that stated the petitioner “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.” However, Westman’s gender identity has not been definitively clarified, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned any hatred directed at the transgender community in the wake of the shooting. Importantly, police have found no evidence linking Westman to the church or its community, and the shooter did not have an extensive criminal record. All three firearms used in the attack were legally purchased, according to BBC News.
The attack occurred amid a spate of violence in Minneapolis. In the 24 hours preceding the church shooting, three other deadly shootings had rocked the city, including one directly behind Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, just four miles north of Annunciation. However, Chief O’Hara emphasized that the Annunciation shooting does not appear to be related to these other incidents. Despite a recent downward trend in violent crime since the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has faced several high-profile tragedies this year, including a June attack that targeted the homes of two state politicians.
The shooting has prompted a wave of responses from local and national leaders. President Donald Trump and Governor Tim Walz ordered flags lowered to half-staff, and both were briefed on the situation. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed her agency’s involvement. Pope Leo XIV, the first American to serve as pope, sent a telegram of condolences, offering prayers for the victims, their families, and the first responders. “While commending the souls of the deceased children to the love of Almighty God, His Holiness prays for the wounded as well as the first responders, medical personnel and clergy who are caring for them and their loved ones,” the pope’s message read. “At this extremely difficult time, the Holy Father imparts to the Annunciation Catholic School Community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the people of the greater twin cities metropolitan area his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace, fortitude and consolation in the Lord Jesus.”
Minneapolis and Hennepin County have set up a range of crisis services, including the Family Response and Stabilization Service and Cope Mobile Crisis Response, to support those affected. National hotlines, such as the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, have also been promoted for anyone in need of help.
In the days ahead, the city will continue to mourn and seek answers. The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even the most sacred spaces, and of the resilience of a community determined to support its children and heal together.
