A mass shooting shattered the quiet of Minneapolis this morning at Annunciation Catholic School’s first-day-of-class Mass. The assailant, 23-year-old Robin Westman, opened fire through the church windows using a rifle, shotgun, and handgun. Two children—aged 8 and 10—were tragically killed, while 17 others sustained injuries, most of whom were students. Westman died by suicide at the scene.
Authorities are treating the attack as domestic terrorism and a hate crime, given its targeting of Catholic worshippers. A disturbing manifesto, which had been posted online prior to the shooting, has since been removed by federal investigators.
In response to the tragedy:
- President Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff nationwide through August 31.
- Mayor Jacob Frey condemned post-shooting transphobia, urging unity and compassion across communities.
- Globally, leaders including the Pope offered prayers and spiritual solidarity for the grieving families.
Communities nationwide are still reeling, and calls for stronger measures to prevent similar violence are louder than ever.