Tragic Minneapolis School Shooting Leaves Two Children Dead and 17 Injured

On August 27, 2025, a tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 17 others during a morning Mass marking the start of the school year. The assailant, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, fired through the church's stained-glass windows using legally purchased firearms before taking their own life in the parking lot. Authorities are investigating the incident as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.

The attack occurred during a morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic School, a longstanding institution in southwest Minneapolis. The victims included two children, aged 8 and 10, who were killed, and 17 others injured—comprising 14 children and three elderly parishioners. All injured children are expected to survive, though several underwent surgery. The shooter, Robin Westman, died by suicide in the church's parking lot.

Westman, a former student of Annunciation School who graduated in 2017, had no prior criminal history. Their mother previously worked at the school's business office. Westman legally purchased the firearms used in the attack—a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. Authorities discovered online videos and writings posted by Westman expressing anti-religious sentiments and referencing previous mass shooters.

The Minneapolis Police Department, with assistance from the FBI and ATF, is treating the incident as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime. Investigators executed search warrants at multiple locations and recovered additional firearms. The shooter acted alone, and there is no known connection to other recent shootings in Minneapolis.

Community leaders have expressed their condolences and called for action. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey emphasized the need for more than thoughts and prayers, stating, "Don't just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now... These kids were literally praying." Governor Tim Walz ordered state flags flown at half-staff and called the attack "a tragedy that brought devastation to a place that should be a safe space for children to learn." Archbishop Bernard Hebda led a prayer service, noting the inscription at the front of the Annunciation Church that reads: "House of God and the gate of heaven."

This incident marks the 146th school shooting in 2025, intensifying national debates over gun control and school safety. The targeting of a Catholic institution raises concerns about religious intolerance and the safety of faith-based communities. The shooter's online manifesto highlights the need for improved mental health support and monitoring of online content promoting violence.

Established in 1923, Annunciation Catholic School has been a cornerstone of the southwest Minneapolis community for over a century. The school enrolls approximately 340 students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade and has been authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School for the Primary Years Programme since 2018.

The Minneapolis community is coming together to heal and advocate for change, emphasizing the need for comprehensive measures to prevent future tragedies.