Tag: Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting

The Unfolding of the Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting
A parent hugs her son after a shooting at the Church of Annunciation in Minneapolis on Wednesday. © Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune/AP
MINNEAPOLIS — In a chilling act of violence that shattered the sanctity of a place of worship and learning, two young children were killed and 17 others injured when a shooter opened fire during a morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. The attack, described by authorities as a “deliberate act of cruelty beyond comprehension,” unfolded just days into the new school year, leaving families, the community, and the nation grappling with profound grief and outrage.
The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman—a former student at the school—fired dozens of rounds through the stained-glass windows of the church sanctuary before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an inquiry into the incident as both an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics, with early evidence pointing to a manifesto posted online that revealed deep-seated grievances.
The shooting began shortly before 8:30 a.m. local time at Annunciation Church, an integral part of the Catholic school serving students from preschool through eighth grade in south Minneapolis. Children and parishioners had gathered for a special Mass to celebrate the start of the school year, themed “A Future Filled with Hope,” drawing from a biblical verse emphasizing welfare and optimism.
Witnesses described a scene of sudden chaos. Ten-year-old Weston Halsne, a fifth-grader seated near the windows, recounted hearing the first shots and mistaking them for something innocuous. “It was like right beside me … I think I got gunpowder on my neck,” he told reporters. “The first one, I was like, ‘What is that?’ and then I heard it again and I just ran under the pew.” His friend, Victor, heroically shielded him but was struck in the back. “He’s really brave, and I hope he’s good in the hospital,” Weston added.
Law enforcement officers gather outside the church Wednesday. © Tim Evans/Reuters
The shooter, dressed in all black, approached from the side of the building and unleashed a barrage using three legally purchased firearms: a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. Authorities believe most shots were fired from outside, with doors barricaded using two-by-fours to trap those inside. A smoke bomb was also found at the scene, though it’s unclear if it was deployed.
Patrick Scallen, a lifelong resident living a block away, heard the gunfire and rushed to the church. He encountered injured children emerging from the building, including a girl grazed on the forehead and another shot in the neck. “Can you just please hold my hand?” one asked him amid the eerie silence that followed the shots. Scallen comforted them until emergency responders arrived, later reflecting on their innocent questions: “Why did this happen? How could this happen?”
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that the attack targeted the children in the pews, with bullets shattering the symbolic stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes, including the Annunciation—the church’s namesake, representing divine presence and hope. “The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” O’Hara said at a news conference, his voice heavy with emotion. Church bells tolled mournfully in the background as he spoke.
The two children killed were an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, both struck while seated in the pews. Of the 17 injured, 14 were children aged 6 to 15, and three were elderly parishioners in their 80s. Hospitals reported treating victims in critical condition, with several undergoing surgery. Hennepin Healthcare received seven children in critical condition, while Children’s Minnesota cared for six. All injured are expected to survive, but the psychological scars may endure far longer.
Police arrived swiftly, confirming no ongoing threat and declaring the shooter “contained.” The scene was secured, with four search warrants executed—one at the church and three at residences in the metro area—yielding additional firearms.
Who Was Robin Westman?
Robin Westman, born Robert Paul Westman, legally changed their name in 2019 or 2020, with court documents citing identification as female. Westman, 23, from suburban Minneapolis, had no extensive criminal history and had recently purchased the weapons legally. A 2017 yearbook confirms Westman graduated from Annunciation’s grade school, adding a layer of personal connection to the tragedy.
An undated driver’s license photo shows Robin M. Westman, 23, identified by police as the gunman who opened fire during a Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. Westman’s identity in the photo was confirmed.
Westman’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, served as the parish secretary from 2016 until her retirement in 2021, as noted in church newsletters and social media posts. Efforts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful.
Authorities are scrutinizing a “manifesto” timed for release on YouTube during the attack, which included disturbing writings, handwritten notebook pages, weapons with inscribed messages, and videos filmed at the scene. The content was quickly removed with FBI assistance. While a motive remains under investigation, the writings suggest grievances, including deliberations on targeting large groups of children while avoiding armed parents.
Screenshots from a YouTube video posted by Robin M. Westman, 23, show the suspect police identified as the gunman in the Aug. 27, 2025, Minneapolis church school shooting.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the probe into anti-Catholic bias: “The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem referred to Westman as a “man claiming to be transgender,” while Patel described the suspect as male. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, urged against fueling hatred toward the transgender community.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey sits on steps of the Annunciation Church’s school as police respond to a reported mass shooting in Minneapolis on Aug. 27, 2025. © Abbie Parr/AP
National Response
The attack has elicited widespread condemnation and calls for action. President Donald Trump, briefed on the incident, ordered U.S. flags flown at half-mast at the White House and public buildings until sunset as a mark of respect. “The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” he posted on Truth Social.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who spoke with Trump, echoed the sentiment: “It’s Minnesota’s day today. I ask the rest of folks around the country who are watching, keep us in your thoughts and prayers, but also keep us in the thoughts for action.” Walz highlighted the broader gun violence crisis, noting this was the fourth deadly shooting in Minneapolis within 24 hours, though unrelated.
Mayor Frey, visibly emotional, decried empty platitudes: “Don’t just say this is about ‘thoughts and prayers’ right now. These kids were literally praying.” School Principal Matthew DeBoer, fighting back tears, invoked an African proverb: “When you pray, move your feet.” He praised staff for their heroic actions in shielding children and called for tangible change: “We as a community have a responsibility to make sure that no child, no parent, no teacher ever has to experience what we’ve experienced today—ever again.”
Pope Leo XIV expressed “heartfelt condolences,” praying for the wounded and commending their souls to God. Local leaders, including Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, ordered flags lowered and offered prayers.
The shooting aligns with a grim trend: 2025 has seen 44 school shootings so far, per analyses from the Gun Violence Archive and others, surpassing last year’s pace. It follows a wave of active shooter hoaxes nationwide, heightening fears as schools reopen.
Beyond the immediate human tragedy, school shootings like this one carry significant economic repercussions, amplifying the societal costs of gun violence in America. Research indicates that exposure to such events can lead to long-term declines in educational attainment and earnings for survivors. In Texas, for instance, students exposed to school shootings are 3.4% less likely to graduate high school and 14.6% less likely to earn a bachelor’s degree, translating to reduced lifetime earnings and productivity.
Mass shootings, including those at schools, have been linked to a 2.4% drop in per capita earnings in affected counties, driven by employment losses from deteriorating mental health and negative business perceptions. Locally, Minneapolis could face similar challenges: disrupted education, increased healthcare costs, and potential business exodus amid heightened safety concerns. The city, already reeling from recent violence, may see tourism and real estate values dip, compounding recovery efforts.
Nationally, gun violence costs the U.S. economy billions annually in medical expenses, lost wages, and preventive measures. States and districts spend billions on school safety enhancements—funds that could otherwise support academic programs. Firearm stocks often fluctuate post-incident; historically, companies like Smith & Wesson see temporary surges amid gun control debates, though broader market sentiment sours due to uncertainty.
While it’s too early to gauge precise market reactions to the Annunciation shooting—occurring just yesterday—analysts predict short-term volatility in sectors tied to security and education. The Dow and S&P 500 showed minor dips in afternoon trading on August 27, reflecting investor unease over escalating violence. Long-term, experts urge a public health approach: safe storage laws, mental health resources, and community interventions to mitigate these cascading economic harms.
As investigations continue and the community mourns, the attack at Annunciation underscores an urgent need for action. “These are sacred places,” Frey said. “But they are not the only sacred places. Schools are sacred. Classrooms are sacred.” The hope now is that this tragedy spurs meaningful change, honoring the young lives lost and protecting those that remain.
August 28, 2025
DNC’s summer meeting concluded early due to a nearby school shooting in Minneapolis
Ken Martin, then-DNC chair candidate, speaks at the “Win With Workers” rally and press conference at the DNC Midwestern Candidate Forum in Detroit on Jan. 16, 2025. © Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for One Fair Wage
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) abruptly ended its summer meeting in Minneapolis on Wednesday, after news broke of a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, located a short distance from the gathering.
DNC Chair Ken Martin acknowledged the attack, which occurred outside the church during the school’s weekly Mass. He told members the tragedy had left about 20 victims, most of them children. Police and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey later confirmed in a press conference that 19 people had been shot.
“I’m extremely, extremely sorry that our meeting ended on such a tragic note,” Martin said. “But as we leave here with heavy hearts, let’s steel ourselves again in this work and why it’s so important. Everything we do, everything we do, is to make sure that things like this never happen again, especially to the little, little children. So let’s leave here today, steeled in this fight, knowing what we have to do.”
The final phase of the session began with a prayer led by Bishop Leah Daughtry, followed by a motion from Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) to adopt all committee reports in a single voice vote so the meeting could close swiftly. Members approved the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.
In his welcoming remarks just an hour earlier, the mayor urged Democrats to view cities as the proving ground for social and economic change. He highlighted the city’s elimination of single-family exclusive zoning and expansion of affordable housing as examples of how Democratic-led cities could demonstrate progress to other cities around the country.
Inside the executive board meeting, party leaders presented what they described as a strong financial position. Budget co-chairs reported the DNC had raised $70 million so far this year, which Martin called a record for a comparable point after a presidential election loss. They said the party carried no debt, maintained adequate cash on hand, and was investing earlier than in past cycles, including in state parties, technology, and the upcoming gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.
Martin said grassroots contributions—small donations of $5, $10, and $20 at a time—made up roughly 85 percent of the total raised. He said that reliance on these recurring contributions created a healthier, more resilient organization than one dependent on major donors.
The committee chair also pointed to fresh signs of momentum, citing Democrat Catelin Drey’s victory in an Aug. 26 Iowa Senate special election. The win flipped a Republican-held seat, broke the GOP’s supermajority in the chamber, and marked what Martin called the 40th Democratic win or better-than-expected results since President Donald Trump took office in January.
“There’s wind at our back,” Martin told members, adding the party should be hopeful despite the 2024 presidential election loss. He said the party needed to stop with the navel-gazing and “actually get in this fight.”
Still, not all members were reassured. Shortly before the meeting was adjourned, Christine Pelosi, a committee member and daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, issued a sharp critique of how money is being spent.
“Last year, consultants lit a billion dollars on fire and pocketed another $750 million … that we can track,” she said. “I didn’t see enough paid field. I didn’t see enough Black media. I didn’t see enough rural radio. I didn’t see enough ethnic media. And we are determined. … I’ve told the governor, I’ve told my beloved mother, Nancy Pelosi, I’ve told anyone within the sound of my voice that we’re not doing that again.”
Christine Pelosi said large donors remained hesitant because they wanted to see their money go directly to communities, not national contracts.
“Every call is a persuasion call,” she said.
“If you don’t have [a] paid field, we will lose in California, not to mention New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, et cetera. So please, please, please, let’s all remember, the reason why people are still sitting on some of their money is because they want to see it in the field, they want to see it where they live … and if we are paying media consultants and we are not paying phone bankers and door walkers, we will lose. So let’s invest in the field and let’s win.”
Martin stated in response: “You don’t have to convince me. I’m an organizer.”
Throughout the meeting, Martin pointed to Democratic wins or better-than-expected results in 40 special elections this year as evidence of momentum and told members the party’s main task is “rebuilding trust” with voters who have lost faith.
The third and final day capped a meeting that had already showcased divisions and strategy debates.
On opening day, Texas Democrats took center stage as they described their quorum-breaking battle against Republican redistricting maps, which DNC leaders framed as part of a broader fight over voting rights. The following day, the Resolutions Committee debated and advanced dozens of measures, including paired resolutions against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, while shelving a cease-fire and arms embargo proposal on Gaza after heated debate.
Later, at a press conference regarding the Catholic School shooting, Frey, standing alongside police, called the attack “an unspeakable act of evil.” Police confirmed that two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed and 17 others injured, 14 of them children. The gunman, a man in his early 20s, died by suicide after the attack, police said.
For Democrats, the tragedy cut short three days of strategy sessions, resolutions, and planning, with the tragedy occurring in their host city. The next DNC meeting is scheduled for Dec. 11–13 in Los Angeles, Martin said.
August 27, 2025
What has been confirmed about the Minnesota school shooting
A shooter killed two children and injured 17 others when he opened fire during Mass at a Minneapolis Catholic school on Aug. 27, officials said.
The shooter, Robert “Robin” Westman, who law enforcement said is a man in his early 20s, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound moments later. Fourteen of the 17 people injured were children, police said, two of whom are in critical condition.
Here is what we know so far.
Shooter Opened Fire in the Middle of Mass
The shooting occurred during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Aug. 27, two days after the first day of class of the new school year.
“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping,“ Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said at a news conference. ”The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.”
Authorities evacuated the school, and students’ families were directed to a “reunification zone.”
“Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at the news conference with O’Hara. “These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the shooting a “horrific act of violence” in a post on X.
“From the officers responding, to the clergy and teachers providing comfort, to the hospital staff saving lives, we will get through this together,” he wrote in another post.
Victims Mostly Children
Officials said the two children killed were 8 and 10 and were fatally shot while in the church pews celebrating a Mass during the first week of school. It is not clear how many people were present in the church when the shooting occurred, and authorities have not released the identities of the victims.
Police have heard estimates on the exact number of people who were in the church at the time, but will release a more definitive number when it’s determined, O’Hara said.
Hennepin Healthcare’s chair of emergency medicine, Thomas Wyatt, said the hospital treated 10 patients after the shooting, including eight children ages 6 through 14 and two adults.
Seven children ages 9 through 16 were also admitted to Children’s Minnesota, a trauma center dedicated to pediatric care, the facility said in a statement.
O’Hara said all of the wounded are expected to survive from their “range of injuries,” and that the children have been reunited with their families.
Shooter Identified
The shooter was Robert “Robin” Westman, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. Westman was armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol and approached the side of the church before shooting through the windows toward the children inside, O’Hara said.
Authorities believe that Westman fired all or most of the shots from outside the church before killing himself in the parking lot.
Westman identified as transgender, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X.
He allegedly wrote the phrases “For the Children,” “Where is your God?”, and “Kill Donald Trump” on a rifle magazine, Noem said.
Officials did not say whether Westman had any known connections to the school. Potential motives are still under investigation, but officials said he does not have an extensive known criminal history and likely acted alone.
Patel said the FBI is investigating the shooting as an “act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.”
O’Hara said Minneapolis police do not yet have a “motive or anything to suggest that,” but that it is working with its federal partners and reviewing “any possibilities from wherever the evidence will lead us from what we recover.”
Authorities previously said Westman was in his early 20s. Noem later said he was 23.
O’Hara said authorities located a smoke bomb, or a firework that would release smoke, but had not found any explosives.
They also found a video manifesto that had been timed to upload to YouTube following the shooting and are reviewing it for potential motives, O’Hara said.
Catholic School, Grades Pre-K to 8th
Founded in 1923, Annunciation Catholic School had 391 students enrolled for the 2023 to 2024 school year and has a student-to-teacher ratio of roughly 14 to one, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. With grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, each grade level has two classes and roughly 20 students per class.
The school is in Minneapolis’s tree-lined Windom neighborhood, about five miles south of downtown. Social media photos from the first day of school on Aug. 25 show students in green uniforms smiling, greeting one another at bicycle racks, and sitting together.
Annunciation Catholic School’s website states that teachers “focus on Christian values and civic-mindedness.”
Investigation Underway
In addition to investigating the shooting as a targeted act of domestic terrorism and an anti-Catholic hate crime, Patel said the FBI will provide updates to the public as its investigation proceeds. Law enforcement said previously it was investigating whether Westman had any known connections to the school.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) said it had completed a tracing of the firearms—the rifle, shotgun, and pistol—found at the school.
“ATF completed the urgent traces of the recovered firearms and has provided that information to all investigative partners involved in the shooting at Annunciation Church this morning,” the agency’s St. Paul, Minnesota, office wrote in a post on X. “This information is for investigative partners only and will not be released to the public.”
O’Hara said investigators are analyzing additional firearms found at three residential locations related to Westman.
The City of Minneapolis wrote on X that “there is no active threat to the community at this time” but warned residents to stay away from the area while emergency personnel help victims.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting. He signed a proclamation ordering all flags at federal buildings to be flown at half-staff “as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence,” the White House wrote on X.
Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X, “Our federal agents are on the scene of the horrific shooting at the Annunciation Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota.”
Shooting at Another Catholic School
The shooting on Aug. 27 followed one that occurred the previous afternoon at nearby Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis, in what officials believe was a targeted shooting. The shooter killed one person and injured six others among a group of adults who were hanging out near the school, the police chief said on Aug. 26.
At least one of the adults was targeted, and officials did not mention if anyone from the school was involved in the shooting.
Annunciation Catholic School is roughly four miles south of Cristo Rey. Authorities do not believe that the two incidents are connected.
O’Hara told reporters that law enforcement had arrested two suspects in relation to that shooting.
“We have not gotten the shooter yet, but we believe we have two people under arrest that were present with the shooter when that happened, and we’re making significant progress,” he said.
August 27, 2025