Two children were killed and 17 others were injured in a shooting at a Catholic school in Minnesota. Two of the injured in the shooting were listed in critical condition. Hennepin Healthcare Hospital confirmed that nine children and two adults arrived with gunshot wounds, four of whom underwent surgery. Six other children were brought to the Children’s Minnesota pediatric trauma hospital for care.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said that police responded around 9:30 a.m. EDT to reports of a shooting at a mass at Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday, Aug. 27 in Minneapolis. O’Hara confirmed that two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed “where they sat, in the pews,” with an additional 14 students and three others were injured in the attack. The injured victims were children ages 6 to 15, and three adult parishioners in their 80s.
O’Hara said during a press conference “this was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping, our hearts are broken for everyone affected by this tragedy,” adding that the gunman, equipped with a pistol, smoke bomb, shotgun and rifle, approached from the side of the building, apparently barricaded church doors from the outside and then fired “dozens of rounds” through the church windows, as students attended their first Mass of the school year. All three weapons were purchased legally and recently, police said.
The gunman was later identified by police as 23-year-old Robin Westman; O’Hara said that Westman also fired a shotgun and a pistol and ultimately died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the back of the church. A motive remains unknown, and Westman has no extensive criminal history. FBI Director Kash Patel said that the FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics: “we are looking at, obviously, any possibilities.”
Local NBC affiliate KARE11 reported that Westman’s mother was an employee at the school until she retired in 2021. It’s also believed Westman had attended the school for at least one year and had been there in the last week while teachers prepared for the upcoming school year. According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Westman’s mother previously applied to change her child’s name from Robert to Robin in 2019, with the filing stating that Westman identified “as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said during a news conference “don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school, they were in a church. These were kids that should be learning with their friends. They should be playing on the playground. They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence and their parents should have the same kind of assurance.”
After news broke of the gunman’s identity, Frey emphasized at a second news conference: “anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community, or any other community out there, has lost their sense of common humanity. We should not be operating out of a place of hate. Kids died today. This needs to be about them. This needs to be wrapping our arms around these families.”
Gov. Tim Walz posted on X: “Minnesota is heartbroken. From the officers responding, to the clergy and teachers providing comfort, to the hospital staff saving lives, we will get through this together. Hug your kids close.”
President Trump wrote on Truth Social that he has been “fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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.” Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until Sunday.
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