Two children killed, 17 injured in Minneapolis school shooting, female shooter dead

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

A tragic shooting unfolded at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in south Minneapolis on Wednesday morning, leaving two young children dead and 17 others injured during a routine all-school Mass.

The assailant, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, fired through the church windows before taking her own life, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. Central Time in the Tangletown neighborhood, as students, staff, and parishioners gathered for an annual Mass marking the start of the school year.

Westman, armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, all legally purchased, targeted the congregation, striking children and elderly attendees seated in the pews.

Police reported that at least two church doors had been barricaded from the outside, complicating escape efforts during the chaos that lasted about two minutes.

Among the victims were an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old who succumbed to their injuries, while the 17 wounded included 14 children between the ages of 6 and 15, and three parishioners in their 80s.

All survivors are expected to recover, according to officials. Witnesses described harrowing scenes of people ducking for cover, with one youth minister, Ellie Mertens, crediting a pew for shielding her from gunfire.

Westman, a former student at Annunciation whose mother was a retired school employee, was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators recovered additional firearms from related residences and discovered a smoke bomb on site, though no explosives were found.

The FBI is probing the attack as an act of domestic terrorism and a potential hate crime against Catholics, with no clear motive yet disclosed.

Social media accounts linked to Westman, including a YouTube channel since removed with FBI assistance, contained disturbing content: videos flipping through notebooks with drawings of the church’s interior, weapons, bullets, and references to violent acts against children.

One notebook bore a “defend equality” sticker, and there was a mention of a German band associated with the Columbine shooters, raising questions about influences. Westman, who changed her name from Robert in 2020 to reflect her female identity, had no known extensive criminal history.

Law enforcement responded swiftly, with Minneapolis police, state patrol, and federal agents securing the area. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the violence “horrific,” urging action beyond “thoughts and prayers” and noting the irony that victims were targeted while praying.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, briefed on the situation, expressed prayers for the affected and coordinated state resources.

The tragedy drew national and international attention. President Trump ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-staff until Sunday in honour of the victims, following a conversation with Walz.

Pope Leo XIV voiced profound sorrow over the attack, mourning the loss of innocent lives during Mass.

In statements, school Principal Matthew DeBoer and Pastor Dennis Zehren praised the staff’s heroic efforts in guiding students to safety and committed to rebuilding with community support.