A tragic mass shooting unfolded at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during a back-to-school Mass, leaving two children dead and 17 others injured. The assailant, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, carried out the attack with multiple firearms before taking their own life.
Authorities confirmed the gunman used a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, firing through the church windows as students and families gathered inside. Among the victims were 14 children, many suffering serious injuries.
Investigators are treating the attack as both a hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism, citing evidence found in disturbing journals and videos left behind by the shooter. These materials revealed violent fantasies, admiration for past mass killers, and extremist rhetoric.
Minnesota leaders reacted with grief and condemnation. Governor Tim Walz called the shooting “horrific and senseless,” while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey labeled it “an act of evil” and urged against scapegoating the wider community. Religious leaders across the state also expressed solidarity and support for the victims’ families.
The attack has reignited national debates over gun control, mental health, and extremist violence, leaving the Minneapolis community in mourning and demanding answers.