Wednesday morning in Minneapolis, August 27, 2025, the sanctity of Annunciation Catholic School was shattered by a horrific act of violence that left a community reeling and a nation grappling with yet another mass shooting. At approximately 8:30 a.m., during a morning Mass attended by students and parishioners, 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire, killing two children, ages 8 and 10, and injuring 17 others, including 14 children, two of whom remain in critical condition. The shooter, who died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, has left authorities and residents searching for answers in the wake of this devastating tragedy.
The serene setting of Annunciation Church, a century-old landmark in south Minneapolis, became a scene of chaos as Westman, dressed in all black and armed with multiple firearms, including a rifle, stood outside and fired dozens of rounds through the stained-glass windows into the pews where children were praying. A parent present at the Mass described the terror: “He just pepper-sprayed through the windows, 50 to 100 shots. This is terrible. This is evil.” The gunfire erupted just days into the new school year, a time meant for hope and new beginnings at the private elementary school, which serves about 395 students from preschool through eighth grade and prides itself on fostering “excellence, creativity, and faith.”
Law enforcement responded swiftly, with officers from the Minneapolis Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension flooding the scene. By 9:30 a.m., authorities confirmed the shooter was “contained,” with no further threat to the community. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, visibly shaken during a press conference, called the attack a “deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping,” marking it as the 287th mass shooting in the United States that year.
Westman, identified as the shooter, was a 23-year-old Minneapolis resident who had undergone a legal name change in 2020, according to court documents. Sources revealed a chilling detail: Westman’s mother was an employee at Annunciation School, though her specific role and whether it influenced the motive remain unclear. Neighbors near Westman’s home on South 1st Avenue described the family as private, with some calling them friendly, while others noted they kept to themselves. One neighbor recalled Westman as a “nonviolent kid,” a description that now seems hauntingly at odds with the tragedy.
Disturbing details emerged about Westman’s actions leading up to the shooting. A now-deleted YouTube account under the username “robinw” reportedly posted videos hours before the attack, including one showcasing a firearm inscribed with provocative phrases such as “kill Donald Trump,” “where is your god?,” “burn Israel,” and “6 million was not enough.” Another video allegedly depicted Westman shooting at a target with an image of Jesus, accompanied by the phrase, “he came to pay a debt He didn’t owe because we owe a debt we cannot pay.” Authorities are analyzing these videos, along with Westman’s broader online activity, to piece together a motive, which remains elusive. Unconfirmed social media reports have speculated about Westman’s transgender identity and possible ties to a satanic cult, but police have not verified these claims, urging caution against unverified narratives.
The aftermath of the shooting has left Minneapolis in mourning. Five children were rushed to a local hospital for treatment, with emergency dispatch audio revealing the scale of the crisis: “We have at least 20 victims at this point.” The school established a reunification zone to reconnect students with their families, while counseling and community support services were activated to aid those traumatized by the event. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, addressing the tragedy on X, expressed heartbreak: “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey echoed the sentiment, calling it an “act of evil” and emphasizing that children should be safe in schools and churches. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar also condemned the violence, praising the swift response of first responders while mourning the loss of young lives.
The Annunciation Catholic School shooting has reignited national debates about gun violence, school safety, and the underlying factors driving such acts. As investigators continue to probe Westman’s motivations, the community of south Minneapolis grapples with grief and disbelief. The school, a beacon of faith and education for over a century, now bears the scars of a tragedy that has forever altered its story. For the families of the two children lost, the 17 injured, and a city left to heal, the road ahead is one of resilience, reflection, and an urgent call for change.