MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in southwest Minneapolis turned into tragedy Wednesday morning when a 23-year-old former student opened fire, killing two children and injuring 17 others before taking his own life.
The attack began shortly after 8:30 a.m. inside the Windom neighborhood parish, which is also home to an elementary and middle school. Parishioners and students were gathered for the second day of the new school year when gunfire erupted. Witnesses and investigators said the shooter, identified as Robin M. Westman (formally Robert Westman), entered church grounds with multiple firearms, firing dozens of rounds into the sanctuary.
Authorities confirmed that Westman used three legally obtained weapons – a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. In a calculated move, wooden boards were placed across exits to prevent people from escaping. Despite the effort to trap those inside, many students and parishioners were able to flee as teachers and staff acted quickly to move children to safety.
Two students, ages eight and ten, were killed in the attack. Among the wounded were 14 children, ranging in age from six to 15, along with three elderly parishioners in their eighties. Doctors said all of the injured are expected to survive, with many released from area hospitals by Thursday morning.
Investigators say Westman, who attended Annunciation School as a child and whose mother once worked there, left behind disturbing writings and online material. Federal officials are reviewing videos and manifestos that included antisemitic, anti-Catholic, and extremist themes, along with references to past mass shooters. The FBI is treating the incident as both a domestic terrorism case and a potential hate crime.
While law enforcement and tech platforms have moved quickly to remove much of this content from the Internet, some videos and postings remain accessible. Federal agents are archiving and analyzing the material as part of the ongoing investigation, treating it as evidence of motive and intent. The FBI has confirmed that the writings and recordings are central to determining whether Westman acted alone or had ties to wider extremist networks.
Westman, a transgender man, had no prior criminal record and all weapons were purchased legally. His social media accounts and video postings revealed ties to extremist subcultures and admiration for online gun personalities. Authorities said some of the videos displayed firearms marked with hate symbols.
The massacre marks one of the worst school-related shootings in Minnesota’s history. Vigils were held across the city Wednesday night, with community members mourning the loss of life and offering support to victims’ families.
Governor Tim Walz ordered flags flown at half-staff across Minnesota and called the shooting a devastating attack on both children and a community of faith. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged action beyond condolences, noting the violence unfolded in a place intended for safety and reflection.
Catholic leaders from across the U.S., including Pope Leo XIV, offered prayers and messages of solidarity. Local clergy organized prayer services and support programs for grieving families.
The investigation remains active as law enforcement pieces together the motive and examines the full extent of Westman’s planning. Authorities said additional search warrants are underway as they analyze digital evidence.
For the families of Annunciation Catholic Church and School, the start of the school year has now become a period of mourning and recovery – one that has drawn national attention and renewed debates about gun violence, extremism, and security in places of worship.
Questions & Answers About the Annunciation Catholic Church Shooting
Q: When and where did the shooting take place?
A: The attack occurred on the morning of August 27, 2025, at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in the Windom neighborhood of southwest Minneapolis. The shooting began during a school Mass around 8:30 a.m.
Q: How many people were killed and injured?
A: Two children, ages eight and ten, were killed. Seventeen others were injured, including 14 students and three elderly parishioners. All of the injured are expected to survive.
Q: Who was the shooter?
A: The gunman was Robin M. Westman, 23, a transgender man who formerly attended the school. His mother previously worked at Annunciation until a few years ago. Westman died by suicide at the scene.
Q: What was the shooter’s name prior to transitioning?
A: Court records show that the shooter was born Robert Westman. In 2020, he legally changed his name to Robin Westman after transitioning.
Q: What weapons were used in the attack?
A: Authorities confirmed Westman used a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. All three weapons were legally purchased.
Q: How did the shooter trap victims inside?
A: Investigators say Westman barricaded exits with wooden boards before firing through church windows and into the sanctuary, attempting to prevent people from escaping.
Q: What is known about the motive?
A: Officials are still investigating, but Westman left behind writings and online material that contained antisemitic, anti-Catholic, and extremist themes. The FBI is treating the attack as both a domestic terrorism case and a potential hate crime.
Q: Did the shooter have a criminal history?
A: No. Westman had no prior criminal record.
Q: How has the community responded?
A: Vigils were held across Minneapolis. Families, parishioners, and community leaders have come together in mourning. Support services and counseling are being offered to victims and their families.
Q: What have officials said in response?
A: Governor Tim Walz ordered flags flown at half-staff across Minnesota. Mayor Jacob Frey called for meaningful action beyond thoughts and prayers. Catholic leaders, including Pope Leo XIV, expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
Q: What happens next in the investigation?
A: Authorities are analyzing Westman’s digital footprint, writings, and videos. Search warrants are ongoing, and federal investigators are examining possible ties to extremist groups.
Additional Context
Investigators revealed that Westman deliberately attempted to trap parishioners by fastening two-by-fours across exit doors before opening fire from outside the church. Dozens of rounds were fired through windows, forcing students and parishioners to take cover inside pews and classrooms. Authorities noted that the quick response of teachers and church staff prevented a higher death toll, as many children were evacuated despite the barricaded doors.
Disturbing Online Footprint
Federal investigators are combing through videos and social media content linked to Westman. Some recordings showed firearms marked with extremist symbols, while others referenced previous mass shootings. One now-deleted video also showed praise for online firearms figures, drawing attention from law enforcement after the attack. Authorities have confirmed that a manifesto was recovered, though details have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Historical Context
The Annunciation Catholic Church massacre is already being called one of Minnesota’s worst school-related shootings. The state has seen school violence before — most notably the 2005 Red Lake High School shooting, where 10 people were killed – but Wednesday’s attack has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of religious schools. Security experts warn that faith-based institutions often lack the hardened defenses common at public schools, making them targets for ideologically motivated violence.
National Mourning
In addition to state and city orders lowering flags, several governors across the country, including in Connecticut and other states, have directed flags to be flown at half-staff in solidarity with Minnesota. Vigils have been announced in Catholic parishes nationwide, while Catholic schools in other states are increasing security measures out of precaution.
Security at Faith-Based Schools and Churches
The Annunciation tragedy is the latest in a series of attacks on schools and places of worship in the United States. In recent years, incidents at churches in Texas and Tennessee, along with the 2023 Nashville Christian school shooting, have underscored vulnerabilities in both religious and educational spaces.
Experts say faith-based schools often face unique security challenges, balancing open access for worshippers with the need to protect students during school hours. Following Wednesday’s attack, Catholic dioceses nationwide are reviewing safety protocols, while federal officials are expected to reassess guidelines for school and church security.
Have there been other shootings by perpetrators who identified as transgender?
Yes – there has been at least one high-profile case prior to Minneapolis where the perpetrator identified as transgender:
The Covenant School Shooting – Nashville, Tennessee (March 27, 2023)
- Shooter: Audrey Hale, a 28-year-old former student of the school, who identified as a transgender man.
- Incident: Hale carried out a targeted attack on the Covenant School, a private Christian elementary school, killing six people, three children and three adults, before being shot and killed by police.
- Details: Authorities later confirmed Hale had legally purchased multiple firearms, created a detailed attack plan, and left writings indicating deep grievances tied to both personal struggles and resentment toward the school.
- Relevance: At the time, the attack drew national attention both for its brutality and because Hale’s transgender identity became a central, and often politicized, element of public discussion.
Other Mentions
- While the Nashville case is the most widely documented, there have been no other widely confirmed U.S. mass shootings by individuals identifying as transgender prior to Westman in Minneapolis.
- In crime and terrorism data, mass shootings linked to transgender individuals are extremely rare. The overwhelming majority of incidents involve male perpetrators who identify with their birth gender.
So to date, the two confirmed major incidents in the U.S. are:
- Audrey Hale – Nashville Covenant School, 2023.
- Robin Westman – Annunciation Catholic Church/School, Minneapolis, 2025.
