Breaking News: Two Children Killed, 17 Injured in Mass Shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota – A tragic mass shooting unfolded at Annunciation Catholic School in south Minneapolis on August 27, 2025, leaving two young children dead and 17 others injured. The incident, which occurred during a morning Mass at the attached Annunciation Church, has been labeled a hate crime and act of domestic terrorism by authorities. The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former student at the school, opened fire through stained-glass windows before dying by suicide at the scene.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the community, drawing comparisons to past tragedies like the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. As details emerge, questions swirl about the shooter’s motives, including a disturbing manifesto posted online and ties to the school through family.
What Happened in Minneapolis Today: Timeline of the Annunciation School Shooting
The shooting began shortly before 8 a.m. local time at Annunciation Catholic Church, located in a quiet residential neighborhood in south Minneapolis. Students from the K-8 school were attending a back-to-school Mass when gunfire erupted. Witnesses described hearing loud bangs as bullets shattered the church’s windows, striking children and adults in the pews.
- Victims: Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed. Among the 17 injured, 14 were children, with several in critical condition at Hennepin Healthcare. Six children underwent surgery, and one boy recounted how a friend shielded him from harm.
- Response: Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed officers arrived swiftly after multiple 911 calls. The shooter was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with a smoke bomb and three firearms—a rifle, shotgun, and pistol—recovered at the scene. No shots were fired inside the church, as no bullet casings were found indoors.
- Investigation: The FBI is probing the incident as domestic terrorism, focusing on anti-Catholic hate. Flags were flown at half-mast across Minnesota in honor of the victims.
Local media outlets like WCCO, KARE 11, KSTP, and Fox 9 have provided ongoing coverage, with breaking news updates highlighting the community’s grief.
Who Is Robin Westman? Details on the Minnesota Shooter
Robin Westman, formerly known as Robert Paul Westman, was a 23-year-old transgender woman and Minneapolis resident. Born in 2002, Westman legally changed her name in 2020 at age 17. She was a former student at Annunciation Catholic School, and her mother, Mary Grace Westman, retired from the school in 2020 after working there.
Hours before the attack, Westman posted videos and a rambling manifesto on YouTube, showcasing weapons inscribed with hateful phrases like “Jew gas,” “kill Donald Trump,” “Nuke India,” and “Israel must fall.” The manifesto revealed a “psychotic obsession” with mass shooters, including Sandy Hook perpetrator Adam Lanza, and expressed self-hatred, suicidal thoughts, and unfounded beliefs about having lung cancer from vaping. Anti-Christian sentiments and personal grievances, including mental health struggles, appear to have fueled the attack.
Neighbors described Westman as reclusive, living in a Twin Cities apartment building. Police are deciphering the manifesto for further clues, while social media discussions have sparked debates on transgender issues and gun violence.
Political Reactions: Statements from Mayor Jacob Frey, Governor Tim Walz, and Others
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the violence, urging unity and warning against vilifying the transgender community. “Anybody using this to villainize our trans community has lost touch with humanity,” Frey said, emphasizing love for children over hate.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar expressed condolences, with Walz ordering flags at half-mast. Representative Ilhan Omar called for gun reform. Former First Lady Melania Trump advocated for behavioral threat assessments to prevent future tragedies, highlighting early warning signs on social media.
President Trump’s team suggested reclassifying gender dysphoria as a mental illness, amid broader calls for action on school shootings in 2025.
Community Impact and Ongoing Updates
The Annunciation Catholic Church and School, serving children ages 5-14, remains closed as investigations continue. Parents and parishioners gathered for vigils, with Pope Leo XIII’s legacy invoked in prayers for healing.
This incident adds to a grim list of school shootings in Minnesota and nationwide, prompting renewed debates on gun control, mental health, and hate crimes. Stay tuned to Star Tribune, MPR News, and local outlets for the latest Minnesota shooting updates.
For more on what happened in Minnesota today, follow breaking news from reliable sources. If you have information, contact authorities.