Minneapolis church shooting latest updates

A gunman killed two children and wounded others at a south Minneapolis church as investigators probe a video manifesto for motive.

Minneapolis church shooting shocks city as suspect's video manifesto seeks motive

Two children were killed and seventeen people were injured when a gunman opened fire at the church adjacent to Annunciation Catholic School during Mass on Wednesday morning in south Minneapolis. Police identified the suspect as Robin Westman, 23, a former student at the school. Westman fired through stained-glass windows before officers arrived. The two children, aged eight and ten, died in the pews; fourteen children and three parishioners in their 80s were among the injured.

Authorities say they are examining a video manifesto posted to YouTube to help determine a motive. The videos, now removed, included weapons etched with racial slurs and a death threat aimed at President Donald Trump. Westman is reported to have changed their name from Robert to Robin in 2020. Police Chief Brian O’Hara said investigators are pursuing context and possible connections as they search for a motive.

Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz offered condolences and pledged support for the community as the city confronts the impact of the attack on worship spaces and children. The incident adds to a growing national pattern of mass casualty events that tests how communities respond to trauma and how authorities handle violent online material.

The case highlights the challenge of deriving motive from online content. Investigators must sift through a digital trail that may include personal history, radicalized rhetoric, and explicit threats. The removal of the videos raises questions about platform responsibilities and how quickly dangerous material is acted on. In parallel, the event tests religious communities’ sense of safety and raises debates about how authorities communicate with families during a traumatic crisis. As officials balance transparency with sensitivity to victims, the public will watch for clear, cautious updates that avoid sensationalism while pursuing truth.

The political undertone, including the Trump threat and references to mass shooters, could become a focal point in policy discussions. For the city, the priority will be security and healing, but the broader conversation may touch on online extremism, gun violence prevention, and the protection of sacred spaces.

Highlights

Healing will require steady leadership, clear information, and community support in the weeks ahead.