People gather at a vigil at Lynnhurst Park after a shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis.
Hundreds of mourners gathered Wednesday night after a tragic shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school left two children dead and 17 people wounded. The vigil was held at the Academy of Holy Angels, just miles from the scene, where families, clergy, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stood together in grief.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda recalled students shielding classmates as gunfire erupted inside Annunciation Catholic School. “In the midst of fear, there was courage, bravery, and love,” he said.
Chaos During Morning Mass
The gunman, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, carried a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. He opened fire through church windows while children sat in pews for Mass, according to Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed. Fourteen other students, aged 6 to 15, were wounded along with three elderly parishioners. All are expected to survive.
The shooter later died by suicide inside the church.
Rev. Dennis Zehren described the terrifying moment. “We were near the end of the Responsorial Psalm when someone yelled, ‘Down, everybody down,’ and shots rang out.”
Children Showed Courage Amid Gunfire
Fifth-grader Weston Halsne described diving under the pews. A friend shielded him, taking a bullet in the process. “I was super scared for him, but I think now he’s OK,” the 10-year-old said.
Teachers and students acted heroically, said Annunciation principal Matt DeBoer. “Adults protected children. Older kids shielded the younger ones. Everyone tried to keep each other safe.”
Investigators Search for Motive
Authorities are investigating the attack as a possible act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics.
O’Hara said police are reviewing disturbing social media posts and YouTube videos linked to the shooter. In one, Westman displayed weapons inscribed with phrases like “Where is your God?” and “Kill Donald Trump.” Another showed a sketch of the church being stabbed with a knife.
A smoke bomb and barricaded exits were also found at the scene.
Shooter’s Background Remains Unclear
Westman acted alone, police confirmed. The shooter had no major criminal record. Federal officials identified Westman as transgender, a fact that drew both sympathy and backlash. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned hatred directed at the transgender community.
Court records from 2020 show a judge approved Westman’s name change from Robert to Robin. Westman’s uncle, former Kentucky lawmaker Bob Heleringer, called the attack an “unspeakable tragedy” and admitted he barely knew the accused shooter.
Families Grieve, Leaders Respond
Parents described the horror their children faced. Vincent Francoual said his daughter Chloe, 11, survived by hiding in a locked room with a table against the door. “She told us she thought she was going to die,” he said.
Governor Walz called it “evil and horror” that struck children on the very first day of school. Flags were ordered to half-staff nationwide by both Walz and President Donald Trump.
From the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV expressed condolences, saying he was praying for families of the victims.
A School Community in Shock
Annunciation Catholic School, a 102-year-old institution, sits in a quiet Minneapolis neighborhood. Former staff described it as a warm, inclusive place that always prioritized children’s well-being.
But now, the school community faces deep scars from an unthinkable act of violence.
As candles burned during the vigil, families clung to one another, remembering the children lost and the resilience shown by survivors.
