Gunman fires through church windows killing children in Minneapolis

A mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church during a back-to-school service left two children dead and several others injured.

Gunman fires through church windows killing children in Minneapolis

At about 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Minneapolis police responded to a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, which sits beside a school. Investigators say the gunman fired a rifle through church windows and was also armed with a shotgun and a pistol. He wore all black, and the attack killed an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old who were seated in pews. Seventeen others were injured, including 14 children and three adults in their 80s. First responders rushed victims to area hospitals, with several pediatric patients listed in critical condition in the hours after the incident. The shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the back of the church.

Officials later identified the shooter as Robin Westman, 23, of a Minneapolis suburb. Westman legally purchased the three firearms and had no known criminal history. CBS News reported that Westman attended the school, and that his mother had worked at the church as a parish secretary and at the school as an administrative assistant. A video described by authorities as a manifesto, posted on YouTube and timed to the shooting, has been removed and is part of the FBI and local investigation. The community was shocked to learn that the attacker had ties to the church and its school, amplifying the sense of personal hurt for families and staff.

The attack exposes the fragile safety net around spaces that many families trust for refuge and learning. When a place meant for worship becomes a site of violence, the sense of security erodes not just for those directly affected but for the broader community. The case also highlights how online content linked to real-world violence can accelerate and shape investigations, complicating early accounts and public reactions. As officials piece together a timeline and motive, the incident will likely reignite debates about gun access and safety measures in public spaces, including religious institutions and schools.

Beyond policy questions, the tragedy tests community resilience. Leaders are balancing expressions of sympathy with calls for accountability, while schools and houses of worship assess what practical changes are warranted without infringing on civil liberties. In the days ahead, the focus will be on supporting families and ensuring that vulnerable venues can respond quickly to threats while maintaining a sense of normalcy for children returning to daily routines.

Highlights

The path forward will demand both compassion for victims and a hard look at how communities safeguard spaces of faith and learning.