MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A tragic mass shooting occurred in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning, when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire with a rifle into the Annunciation Catholic School during Mass. The incident, characterized by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara as "absolutely incomprehensible," resulted in the deaths of two children, ages 8 and 10, and left 17 others injured, including fourteen children aged 6 to 15 and three elderly parishioners.
The attack took place just before 8:30 a.m. as children celebrated Mass during their first week of school. Armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, Westman shot numerous rounds into the church, targeting those seated in the pews. Following the shooting, the assailant died by suicide, and authorities have not yet established a motive or any connection between Westman and the church.
Fifth-grader Weston Halsne described hiding under a pew during the chaos, protected by a friend who was unfortunately struck. “I was super scared for him, but I think now he’s okay,” Halsne said, expressing his concerns for the hospitalized victims. The violence deeply affected the community, prompting reactions from local parents and grandparents, including Michael Simpson, who questioned where God was during such an atrocity.
In response to the shooting, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the incident would be treated as both an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics. Investigators are scrutinizing a social media post appearing to show Westman at the shooting scene, while a YouTube channel titled "Robin W" was taken down after videos featuring a cache of weapons and incendiary messages were posted.
Witnesses to the shooting reported hearing as many as 50 shots over the span of four minutes. Bill Bienemann, a resident near the church, expressed disbelief, initially thinking it was not gunfire. Police arrived rapidly, providing first aid and rescuing children hiding throughout the building. Law enforcement described significant heroism from both the adults and children present, with older children protecting their younger peers during the shooting.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz lamented that children starting the school year faced "evil and horror and death," and both he and President Donald Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of the victims. The community has been left devastated, reflecting on the tragedy at a school that was once viewed as a safe environment. Residents like Karin Cebulla, a former employee of Annunciation, described the school as a caring community, praying it retains that identity.
Federal officials have stated there is currently no link between the Annunciation shooting and other recent violent incidents in Minneapolis, although the city has experienced a series of shootings over the preceding days. Despite a general decrease in violent crime in major U.S. cities, the shocking nature of this event has raised urgent calls for reforms regarding gun legislation to better protect children and families from violence.
The aftermath of this horrific incident will undoubtedly have lasting impacts on the families involved and the broader community in Minneapolis. As the investigation continues, questions linger about the motivations behind such a senseless act and what can be done to prevent future tragedies in similar settings.
