Two children were killed and 17 people injured in a devastating shooting that occurred Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in south Minneapolis.
The gunman, identified as Robin Westman, 23, reportedly fired a barrage of shots from a rifle, shotgun, and pistol from outside the church, targeting students and worshippers who were attending a back-to-school Mass.
The incident unfolded just before 8:30 a.m. on the first full week of school. According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the suspect approached the church and began firing through the windows, striking children as they sat in the pews.
Two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed at the scene. Among the 17 injured, 14 were children, with two reported to be in critical condition.
Chief O’Hara described the act as “a deliberate act of violence against innocent children” and called the shooter’s actions “absolutely incomprehensible.”
A law enforcement official told the Associated Press that the shooter, who was dressed in all black, had no extensive criminal history. After the attack, the suspect took their own life behind the church.
The FBI is now investigating the shooting as a potential act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics. Authorities also found a smoke bomb at the scene but confirmed that no explosives were present.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing grief and outrage. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey emphasized that the tragedy was not a time for simple “thoughts and prayers,” noting that the children were “literally praying” when the attack occurred.
The incident marks the fourth shooting in Minneapolis in a 24-hour period, though officials do not believe they are related.
