A horrific shooting rocked Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, claiming the lives of two children, aged 8 and 10, and injuring 17 others during a morning Mass. The shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, fired dozens of rounds through the church windows before taking his own life, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
The attack, which occurred on the third day of the school year, targeted children aged 6 to 15 and three elderly parishioners, all expected to survive. Fifth-grader Weston Halsne described ducking under pews as a friend shielded him, sustaining injuries. “I was super-scared for him, but I think he’s okay now,” the 10-year-old said, praying for others hospitalized.
Police are investigating the motive, with FBI Director Kash Patel labeling the shooting a possible act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics. A social media post with “disturbing writings” linked to Westman is under scrutiny, though no connection to the church has been established. O’Hara called the act “incomprehensible,” noting a wooden plank barricaded doors and a smoke bomb was found at the scene.
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Responding officers rescued children hiding in the church, with teachers and older students protecting younger ones, said Principal Matt DeBoer. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey emphasized the lasting impact on families, stating, “These kids were literally praying.” Governor Tim Walz, who ran as the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2024, and President Donald Trump ordered flags lowered to half-staff. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, sent condolences from the Vatican.
The shooting, unrelated to other recent violence in Minneapolis, occurred in a city seeing a decline in violent crime, with homicides down 21% in 2025 compared to 2024, per AH Datalytics. Local resident Karin Cebulla, a former school staffer, mourned the loss of the school’s safe, caring community. “I pray it remains a place where people feel safe,” she said.
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