Minneapolis catholic school shooting leaves two children dead, FBI probes as possible hate crime

Minneapolis is grieving following a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School that left two children dead and seventeen others injured. The FBI is now investigating the attack as a potential anti-Catholic hate crime, and an act of domestic terrorism. The shooting has rocked the city, reignited national debates about gun violence and religious tolerance while emergency responders search for answers.

Horror during morning mass

The violence began on Wednesday morning. Students assembled for Mass during the first week of school when a 23-year-old gunman, Robin Westman, began firing on those gathered from outside the Annunciation Church on the school campus. Westman used three guns—a rifle, shotgun, and pistol—and fired rounds and rounds of gunfire through the glass at children and parishioners sitting in the pews.

When the shooting stopped, two children, ages 8 and 10, were dead. Fourteen other minors, ages 6 to 15, and three parishioners, 85 and older, were seriously injured but they are expected to recover. The shooter then turned the gun on themselves and was dead when the police arrived.

Heroism and chaos

Teachers and staff demonstrated heroism in the midst of the attack—laying on top of children, shepherding students beneath pews, and trying to barricade side doors. Police arrived and rushed in to provide first aid and carry wounded students to safety.

A fifth-grade student, Weston Halsne, remembered diving for cover with bullets flying: “I was really scared for my friend that got hit. But I know now he is ok,” he told reporters at the next vigil. Parents shared the frantic moments looking for their children as the school and church broke down into lockdown.

Attacker’s motive under scrutiny

The shooter, Robin Westman, did not have any major criminal history and is suspected to have acted alone. The shooter – who had changed their name and gender in 2020 as well – had previously uploaded shocking videos to YouTube showing a stockpile of weapons with messages of hate, and threats against both political and religious groups. Some videos of the shooter even included maps and sketches of the church, which could suggest some level of planning was involved.

While law enforcement has not settled upon a final motive for the shooting, the FBI Director Kash Patel reiterated the shooting is being investigated, as an anti-Catholic hate crime and also as a domestic terrorism case. Police have executed search warrants on multiple properties owned by Westman and recovered more firearms and other items of interest as evidence.

Community mourns as leaders call for action

Hundreds of people gathered the evening after the shooting at a neighboring gym for a candlelight vigil. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey spoke with anguish and anger, challenging everyone to demand action. “This cannot just be thoughts and prayers. These children were literally praying. It was their first week of school, and they were inside a church,” said Mayor Frey, with the sorrow of a city still healing from violence.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis eventually would call the tragedy “unspeakable,” and provide praises for the “bravery and compassion” of teachers, students, and first responders.

National reverberations

President Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in the state and the White House joined the calls for a full investigation. The shooting, the first school-related mass shooting of the term, has renewed debate about gun access, school safety, and the potentially targeted violence against houses of worship and religious minorities.

Lawmakers from both parties have called for not only increased vigilance but action on matters of hate speech and access to lethal weapons—especially for individuals who previously engaged in extremist speech.

Trauma and healing

As the investigation continues, counselors and clergy are working with families and survivors. Stories of bravery, such as high school students using their own bodies to protect elementary school children and spending precious time escorting children to safety, are assisting the community in their beginning to heal.

“We owe it to our kids to create a city and a country that never allows this to happen again,” said Governor Walz, who is committed to effecting change.