On the morning of August 27, 2025, a horrific shooting unfolded at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, leaving a community in mourning.

The tragic event claimed the lives of two children, aged 8 and 10, and injured 17 others, including 14 children, during a morning Mass celebrating the first week of the school year. .

What Happened at Annunciation Catholic School?

At approximately 8:45 a.m., a lone gunman opened fire from outside the Annunciation Catholic Church, adjacent to the school, during a morning Mass attended by students, faculty, and parishioners.

The shooter, positioned on the side of the building, fired through the church windows using a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. The indiscriminate gunfire targeted the congregation, resulting in a devastating toll.

Two children, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, were fatally wounded. Seventeen others sustained injuries, with 14 of them being children.

Among the injured, two victims—whose ages were not immediately disclosed—were reported in critical condition and rushed to nearby hospitals. The remaining injured victims were treated for a range of wounds, from minor to serious, at local medical facilities, including Hennepin County Medical Center.

The shooting took place during a routine school Mass, a tradition at the Catholic school to mark the start of the academic year.

Who Was the Shooter?

The shooter was identified as a male in his early 20s.

The Minnesota Catholic school shooter has been allegedly identified as Robin Westman, though his name has not been officially verified yet.

Minneapolis police confirmed that the suspect acted alone and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the church parking lot shortly after the attack.

Authorities recovered the three firearms used in the shooting—a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol—at the scene.

Preliminary investigations suggest the shooter had no significant criminal history, which has left law enforcement and the community grappling with questions about his motive.

Police Chief O’Hara stated that the investigation is ongoing, with authorities exploring the shooter’s background, mental health history, and possible connections to the church or school.

Robin Westman, was previously named Robert Paul Westman before legally changing his name in 2020 to identify with his new alleged identity as a transgender, was identified as the shooter at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, where he killed two children and injured 17 others before dying by suicide.

In videos and a manifesto posted online but now has been banned, Westman displayed weapons marked with phrases like “kill Donald Trump,” “Israel must fall,” and “where is your God,” alongside references to past mass shooters like Adam Lanza, indicating an obsession with school shootings.

In Westman’s letter and manifesto, he wrote, “I regret being trans. I wish I was a girl, I just know I cannot achieve that body with the technology we have today. I also can’t afford that”.

He also added, “I can’t cut my hair now as it would be an embarrassing defeat, and it might be a concerning change of character that could get me reported. It just always gets in my way. I will probably chop it on the day of the attack.”

Robin Westman, used a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, Westman legally purchased these firearms shortly before the attack.

Authorities also found many additional guns at three residences linked to Westman in the Minneapolis area, but specific details about where or how the weapons were bought, such as from stores or private sellers, were not shared.

Police are examining YouTube videos posted by Westman that showed many firearms and contained disturbing messages.

The YouTube videos have now been taken down and banned on the platform.

Westman’s letters and manifesto, written in English and Russian, expressed self-hatred, a desire to die, and no clear ideological motive, stating, “I do it because I am sick.”

The lack of a motive has fueled conspiracy theories.

Podcaster Candace Owens, claimed Westman was a product of a “deep state military experiment”, suggesting a secretive government program that creates mass shooters to advance political agendas, such as gun control or destabilization of people, cities, countries or societies.

This theory, often tied to broader “false flag” narratives, lacks credible evidence, but the theories are fueled by the fact that so many mass shootings lack motives behind them.

The Immediate Aftermath

The shooting prompted an immediate response from law enforcement and emergency services.

Minneapolis police arrived at the scene within minutes, securing the area and ensuring the safety of those inside the church.

Emergency medical personnel treated victims on-site before transporting them to hospitals. The school was placed on lockdown, and students and staff were evacuated to a nearby safe location for reunification with families.

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, which oversees Annunciation Catholic School, issued a statement expressing profound grief and calling for prayers for the victims, their families, and the entire community.

Grief counselors and clergy were dispatched to the school to provide support to students, parents, and staff in the wake of the tragedy.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz addressed the incident, calling it a “heartbreaking loss for our state” and pledging support for the affected families.

Local and state officials have also vowed to review school safety protocols and mental health resources in response to the shooting.

Community and National Response

The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School has reignited national conversations about gun violence, school safety, and mental health.

Community leaders, parents, and advocacy groups have called for action to prevent future tragedies.

Vigils and prayer services have been organized across Minneapolis to honor the victims and support the grieving community.

Annunciation Catholic School announced it would remain closed for at least the next week, with plans to offer counseling services and trauma support for students and families.

Key Facts About the Incident

• Date and Time: August 27, 2025, at approximately 8:45 a.m.
• Location: Annunciation Catholic Church, part of Annunciation Catholic School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• Casualties: Two children (ages 8 and 10) killed; 17 others injured, including 14 children, with two in critical condition.
• Weapons Used: Rifle, shotgun, and pistol.
• Shooter: Male, early 20s, deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
• Motive: Unknown, under investigation.
• Response: Immediate police and emergency medical response; school lockdown and evacuation.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the shooter’s motives and circumstances leading up to the attack. Forensic teams are analyzing the weapons and other evidence recovered at the scene, while interviews with witnesses and the shooter’s acquaintances are underway.

The Minneapolis community is rallying to support the victims’ families, with fundraisers and memorials being organized. The tragedy has left an indelible mark on Annunciation Catholic School and the broader Minneapolis area, prompting calls for unity, healing, and action to address the root causes of such violence.

For those seeking to support the victims, donations can be made through verified channels established by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Updates on the investigation and victim recovery efforts will be provided as new information becomes available.

Updated information now includes suspect’s alleged name, theories and manifesto.

---