Minneapolis, MN, August 29, 2025 – A horrific mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, left two children dead and 18 others injured, shaking the community and reigniting national debates on gun violence, mental health, and public safety. The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former student of the school, died by suicide at the scene. The attack, which occurred during a school-wide Mass, has been classified by the FBI as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.
The Attack
The tragedy unfolded just before 8:30 a.m. CDT at Annunciation Catholic Church, located in the Windom neighborhood of south Minneapolis, where students and faculty were gathered for a morning Mass marking the first week of the school year. Westman, dressed in all black and armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol—all legally purchased—approached the church’s exterior and fired dozens of rounds through the stained-glass windows, targeting worshippers inside. Two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed, and 18 others were injured, including 14 children and three adults, with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, Westman barricaded some of the church’s doors, complicating escape routes for those inside. The church’s policy of locking doors after Mass began likely prevented further casualties. Police recovered approximately 116 rifle rounds, three shotgun shells, and one malfunctioned handgun round at the scene. Initial reports suggest Westman acted alone, and no explosives were found, though a smoke bomb may have been used.
The Suspect: Robin Westman
Robin Westman, born Robert Westman, was a 23-year-old from Richfield, Minnesota, who graduated from Annunciation Catholic School in 2017. In 2020, at age 17, Westman legally changed their name to Robin, with court documents noting that the change reflected their identification as female. Westman’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, worked at the school as an administrative assistant from 2016 until her retirement in 2021, and Westman had ties to the parish, having attended Mass there.
Westman’s writings and videos, posted on YouTube shortly before the attack and later removed, provide insight into their mindset. The materials included references to suicide, depression, and an obsession with mass shootings, with one note dated May 23 describing a fascination with school shootings since seventh grade. A hand-drawn sketch of the church’s interior, labeled “Annunciation from memory” in Cyrillic, suggested weeks of planning, including scouting the school’s entrances and exits. Some of Westman’s weapons and ammunition bore antisemitic, racist, and anti-Catholic messages, as well as a call to “Kill Donald Trump.” Authorities have not identified a specific motive but noted Westman’s admiration for other mass shooters.
Westman had no known criminal history, aside from a traffic ticket, and was not on any watchlists. After graduating from Annunciation, Westman briefly attended Minnesota Transitions Charter School and St. Thomas Academy before graduating from Southwest High School in Minneapolis in 2021. Westman also worked for several months in 2025 at a RISE medical cannabis dispensary but was not employed there at the time of the shooting.
Community and Official Responses
The attack has left the Minneapolis community reeling. Annunciation Catholic School, which serves approximately 340 students from preschool to eighth grade, issued a statement calling the situation “impossible” and praising staff for quickly moving students to safety under pews. Vigils and prayer services have been held across the Twin Cities, including a candlelight vigil at Lynnhurst Park organized by Protect Minnesota and Moms Demand Action. A sidewalk memorial of flowers, candles, and notes has grown outside the church.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the violence, emphasizing the need to focus on the victims rather than divisive rhetoric. “These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence,” Frey said. He also urged against scapegoating the transgender community, stating, “Anybody using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community, or any other community, has lost their sense of common humanity.”
Governor Tim Walz, briefed on the incident, expressed solidarity, stating, “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.” President Donald Trump ordered flags at federal buildings lowered to half-staff through August 31, and the White House continues to monitor the situation. Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis shared a message of condolence from Pope Leo XIV, offering prayers for the victims and the community.
Investigations and Broader Implications
The Minneapolis Police Department, with support from the FBI and ATF, is leading a joint investigation. Search warrants have been executed at three residences linked to Westman and a vehicle believed to belong to the suspect. Authorities are analyzing hundreds of pieces of evidence, including electronic devices, to uncover a motive, though Chief O’Hara noted that the suspect’s writings reflect “a classic pathway to an active shooter.”
The shooting has reignited debates over gun control. Mayor Frey called for a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, while the archbishop of Chicago criticized the accessibility of guns, stating, “Guns are plentiful and common-sense attempts to limit their availability have been largely rejected.” Meanwhile, social media has seen polarized reactions, with some conservative voices highlighting Westman’s transgender identity, prompting warnings from officials like Frey against stigmatizing communities.
Support for Victims
Hospitals, including Hennepin Healthcare and Children’s Minnesota, treated the injured, with several children undergoing surgery. One child remains in critical condition. The Office for Victims of Crime and Minnesota’s Office of Justice Programs are providing resources and support for affected families. The Uvalde Foundation for Kids has launched a fundraising initiative for the victims’ families, and a moment of silence was observed before a Minnesota Twins game in Toronto.
As Minneapolis mourns, the nation grapples with yet another act of gun violence, underscoring the urgent need for solutions to protect communities from such tragedies. The Annunciation Catholic School shooting serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of safety in places meant to be sanctuaries.
