A 23-year-old gunman opened fire with multiple weapons on children and parishioners attending morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday, killing two children and wounding 17 others before taking his own life, authorities said.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooter, identified as Robin Westman, approached the side of the church around 8:30 a.m. and fired dozens of rounds through windows at children sitting in pews. The two victims killed were 8 and 10 years old. Fourteen other children and three elderly parishioners, ages 80 and above, were injured but are expected to survive.
“This was an absolutely incomprehensible act of cruelty and cowardice — firing into a church full of children,” O’Hara told reporters.
Children and Families Describe Chaos
Students described a frantic scramble for safety as bullets tore through the sanctuary.
Fifth-grader Weston Halsne, 10, said he ducked under a pew as a friend shielded him. “I was super scared for him, but I think now he’s okay,” he said.
Parents said their children ran to classrooms or hid behind barricaded doors. One father said his daughter believed she was “going to die” while sheltering in a basement room.
Teachers, parishioners, and older students protected younger children, Annunciation Principal Matt DeBoer said.
Suspect and Motive Under Investigation
Police said Westman acted alone and died by suicide at the scene. Westman had no significant criminal history. Federal officials said the suspect was transgender, having legally changed their name from Robert to Robin in 2020.
The FBI confirmed it is investigating the case as domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics. Authorities are reviewing disturbing online videos posted under the name “Robin W,” which showed weapons inscribed with anti-Christian phrases such as “Where is your God?” and political messages like “Kill Donald Trump.”
Investigators also found a smoke bomb and barricaded doors at the church, suggesting premeditation.
National and Local Response
President Donald Trump ordered flags lowered to half-staff and called Gov. Tim Walz, pledging federal support.
Gov. Walz said: “Children just starting their school year were met with evil and horror and death.”
Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the shooting and urged unity, while also warning against directing hate at transgender people.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, sent condolences from the Vatican, saying he was praying for the victims’ families.
A City Shaken
The shooting comes during Minneapolis’ first week of the school year. Annunciation, a century-old K-8 Catholic school, is known as a close-knit community.
The massacre also follows a string of shootings across Minneapolis in recent days, though police said the incidents are unrelated. While violent crime in the city has trended downward since 2020, Wednesday’s attack left residents in shock.
“It’s something you never imagine happening here,” said parishioner Bill Bienemann, who lives nearby. “I heard maybe 50 shots in just a few minutes.”
