Minneapolis, August 28, 2025 – The city of Minneapolis is reeling after a deadly shooting inside Annunciation Catholic School and Church, where a former student opened fire during morning Mass, killing two children and wounding 17 others.
The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound before police could apprehend them. Officials say the attack is being investigated as both a hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism, though the exact motive remains unclear.
Chaos in a Place of Worship
The shooting unfolded just after 9 a.m. Wednesday, when dozens of children and parishioners had gathered for service. Witnesses described scenes of panic as gunfire echoed through the church halls. Teachers rushed students into classrooms while parishioners tried to shield one another from the bullets.
“It was chaos. Kids were screaming, parents were crying, and we were all just trying to survive,” said Maria Gonzalez, whose 11-year-old son was among those injured. “You don’t expect something like this to happen in a church.”
Authorities confirmed that the victims include two children, aged 8 and 10, who died at the scene. Fourteen other children and three elderly worshippers were hospitalized with varying injuries.
Disturbing Evidence Left Behind
Law enforcement officials revealed that Westman left behind a series of online videos and writings that are now central to the investigation. The suspect’s weapons were marked with extremist slogans and hateful messages, including anti-Catholic and antisemitic phrases. One firearm carried the chilling inscription: “Kill Donald Trump.”
Investigators also found notebooks and letters suggesting Westman had been struggling with depression, suicidal thoughts, and a belief they were dying of cancer. In one letter to family members, Westman described themselves as a “horrible monster” and appeared to acknowledge the destruction they were about to cause.
“This case is unusual in that we see elements of personal despair, extremist ideology, and a clear desire for notoriety all wrapped into one,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “But we do not yet have a single, definitive motive.”
A Target on Innocence
What has horrified investigators most is evidence suggesting Westman deliberately intended to target children. Drawings recovered from the suspect’s home appeared to outline parts of the school, with notes indicating plans to avoid adults and focus on young victims.
“This was not random,” said a federal official briefed on the investigation. “The decision to target children was deliberate, and that makes this crime even more incomprehensible.”
Minneapolis in Mourning
In the hours after the shooting, hundreds of residents gathered outside the school for a candlelight vigil. Parents clutched their children tightly as community leaders called for healing and solidarity.
“This was an attack not just on a school or a church, but on the very heart of our community,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “We will grieve, but we will not let hate win.”
Father Michael O’Leary, who presided over Mass that morning, struggled to hold back tears as he addressed the crowd. “These children came here for prayer, for peace, for learning. Their lives were stolen in an act of senseless hate. But our faith tells us that love will prevail.”
A Broader Reckoning
The shooting has renewed urgent debates about gun access, online radicalization, and mental health care. Lawmakers across Minnesota have called for stricter measures to prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
At the same time, mental health advocates stressed the need to pay closer attention to warning signs. “This tragedy shows the dangerous intersection of untreated mental illness and extremist ideology,” said Dr. Karen Lindholm, a Minneapolis-based psychiatrist. “Ignoring either side of that equation is a mistake.”
Still Searching for Answers
For now, the families of Annunciation Catholic School are left with grief and questions. Investigators are combing through hours of online material posted by Westman, including pre-scheduled videos that went live after the attack, in hopes of piecing together a clearer picture of why this happened.
“It will take time to understand the full scope of this tragedy,” Patel said. “But what is clear already is that two innocent lives have been taken, many more have been forever changed, and a community has been deeply scarred.”
As Minneapolis mourns, one painful truth remains: the motives behind this act of violence may never be fully understood.
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