Two children were killed and 17 others seriously injured Wednesday morning when a crazed gunman opened fire through church windows at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during a Mass celebrating the first week of classes.
The shooter, identified by federal law enforcement sources as Robin Westman, a man in his early 20s, fired from outside the church building using three weapons – a rifle, shotgun and pistol – targeting children and worshippers gathered for morning Mass around 8:30 AM, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
An 8-year-old and 10-year-old were killed in the attack. Of the 17 injured, 14 were children and three were adults. Two children remain in critical condition at area hospitals.
“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping,” O’Hara said during a press conference. “The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.”
The gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the back of the church after the shooting. Police said he had no extensive criminal history and investigators are examining materials left behind to determine a possible motive.
A disturbing video leaked online reportedly shows Westman preparing for the slaughter.
Warning: This is upsetting —
BREAKING 🚨🚨 🚨
WARNING HIGHLY DISTURBING
This is an 11 minute video posted by the psychotic school shooter today in Minneapolis. It was posted 2 hours ago on a YouTube channel named Robin W.
In it he shows a manifesto and an arsenal of guns with writing on them while… pic.twitter.com/w5VNufJWXL
— Champagne Joshi (@JoshWalkos) August 27, 2025
The shooting occurred during an “All-School Mass” that was scheduled for 8:15 AM to mark the beginning of the school year at Annunciation Catholic School, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
The service takes place each Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning according to the school’s website.
Multiple hospitals are treating victims from the shooting. Hennepin Healthcare, a Level 1 trauma center, received 11 patients – nine children and two adults. Seven were in critical condition and four required immediate surgery, according to Dr. Thomas Wyatt, chair of emergency medicine.
Children’s Minnesota Hospital is treating six children from the shooting but declined to release details about their conditions. M Health Fairview’s Masonic Children’s Hospital admitted one child who is in stable condition.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the attack an “unspeakable act” and became emotional during the press conference.
“Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying,” Frey said. “It was the first week of school, they were in a church. These were kids that should be learning with their friends.”
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he had been “fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota” and that “The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the scene and completed urgent traces of the recovered firearms, providing that information to investigative partners.