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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Oliver O'Connell,Mike Bedigan and Maroosha Muzaffar

Minneapolis shooting latest: Robin Westman named as suspect after Catholic school attack kills 2 children

Minneapolis Tim Walz Police the Minneapolis Police Department Jacob Frey Annunciation Catholic School BCA OHara

The shooter who opened fire at a church on the south side of Minneapolis on Wednesday morning has been identified.

Law enforcement sources told the Associated Press that Robin Westman attacked the church, adjacent to Annunciation Catholic School, as school children were celebrating Mass at the start of the academic year. Westman once attended the school.

Authorities have confirmed that two children were killed and 17 others were injured, 14 of them children, two of whom are in critical condition.

Westman was initially described by authorities as “a man” in his early twenties, dressed all in black and armed with a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. However, court documents later revealed that in 2019, the shooter changed their name from Robert to Robin and that they identified as a woman.

No motive is known at this time, and Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

President Donald Trump has offered condolences to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

A distraught Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey rejected offers of “thoughts and prayers,” saying at a press conference: “You cannot put into words the gravity, tragedy or absolute pain of the situation.”

Key points

  • Two children killed, 17 injured and shooter dead
  • Police identify shooter as Robin Westman
  • Minneapolis mayor warns against ‘villainizing our trans community’
  • FBI investigating domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics
  • Trump offers condolences to Gov. Tim Walz, flags lowered to half-staff for victims
  • All injured victims are expected to survive, police chief says

What you need to know...

Wednesday 27 August 2025 19:27 , Oliver O'Connell
  • A shooting occurred at Annunciation Church and Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning as schoolchildren were attending Mass to mark the start of the academic year.
  • The assailant, Robin Westman, formerly Robert, whose name was legally changed after identifying as a woman, opened fire from outside the church, using a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, to fire through the stained-glass windows after barricading some of the doors.
  • Two children, aged eight and ten, were killed in the attack, and 17 other individuals were injured, including 14 children, two of whom are in critical condition.
  • Police Chief Brian O’Hara said that the motive for the deliberate act of violence against innocent children is not yet known. The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics.
  • President Donald Trump offered condolences to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and ordered flags to half-staff. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed profound grief, rejecting offers of mere “thoughts and prayers.”

Minneapolis shooting is the 44th such attack on US students this year, CNN data shows

07:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

There have been 44 school shootings in the US so far in 2025, one more than the 43 at this point in 2024, according to CNN’s analysis of Gun Violence Archive, Education Week, and Everytown for Gun Safety data.

The post-pandemic years have marked an alarming surge, with 2021 through 2024 each breaking records since the outlet began tracking incidents in 2008.

This year’s shootings are evenly split: 22 on K-12 campuses and 22 on colleges and universities, it reported.

Minnesota state representative urges action on gun violence

06:40 , Maroosha Muzaffar

State Representative Emma Greenman, whose district includes Annunciation Church, said her community is working to surround victims and their families with “support and courage”.

She stressed that there is “so much more work to do” in addressing gun violence nationwide and added that “we know that this is not a Minnesota issue; this is a national issue”.

People gather at a vigil at Lynnhurst Park after a shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School, Wednesday, 27 August 2025, in Minneapolis

“We have just now become a part of that heartbreaking and tragic community of communities that have suffered this real, horrific pain,” Greenman said.

She warned against growing desensitised to such tragedies and urged people to “turn to both their neighbors and every level of government and say we can and will do better by our kids”.

Minneapolis mayor warns against ‘villainising our trans community’

06:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar

After a shooter identified by police as Robin Westman opened fire on primary school children outside Annunciation Church, the mayor of Minneapolis Jacob Frey condemned the attack and appealed for unity.

He stressed that the city must not “villainize our trans community” in the wake of the incident.

“I have heard about a whole lot of hate that’s being directed at our trans community. Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community, or any other community out there, has lost their sense of common humanity,” he said.

“We should not be operating out of a place of hate for anyone. We should be operating from a place of love for our kids. Kids died today. This needs to be about them,” he added.

Westman was initially described by authorities as “a man” in his early twenties, dressed all in black and armed with a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. However, court documents later revealed that in 2019, the shooter changed their name from Robert to Robin and that they identified as a woman.

Investigators trying to decipher suspect’s writings and YouTube videos

05:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Authorities are reviewing writings and YouTube videos left by the suspect, identified by police as 23-year-old Robin Westman.

Westman opened fire at a Minneapolis Catholic church on Wednesday, killing an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old and wounding 17 others.

The suspect’s online accounts include diary-style videos describing child killings, a sketch of the Annunciation Catholic Church sanctuary, and footage displaying weapons, ammunition, and apparent explosives.

A woman is allowed to drop off flowers at the Annunciation Catholic School sign near the scene of a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church, Wednesday, 27 August 2025, in Minneapolis (© 2024 Star Tribune)

Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the attacker carried a rifle, shotgun, and pistol before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Recap: Who was the Minneapolis shooter?

05:35 , Mike Bedigan

The shooter was identified as Robin Westman, law enforcement officials said.

Police have referred to Westman as “he,” but in 2019, the shooter changed their name from Robert to Robin, court documents show. In court documents, it is listed that Westman identified as a woman.

Westman doesn’t have a criminal history, and police are still trying to determine a motive for the attack. The shooter was wearing black clothing and “cargo-type pants,” police said, and was armed with a rifle, shotgun and a pistol — all of which were lawfully purchased.

Senator Elizabeth Warren calls on Congress to 'end this carnage'

05:20 , Mike Bedigan

Parkland shooting fathers speak out after Minneapolis tragedy

05:00 , Mike Bedigan

Two fathers of children who died in the Parkland School shooting in Florida, have spoken out following the tragedy in Minnesota.

Fred Guttenberg, who lost his daughter Jamie in the tragedy in 2018, and Manuel Oliver, who lost his son Joaquin.

The Parkland shooting occurred on February 14 2018, when 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire on students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

17 people were killed 18 others were injured.

Melania Trump urges ‘pre-emptive intervention’ to identify ‘potential shooters’

04:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

First Lady Melania Trump has called for a “pre-emptive intervention” to identify “potential school shooters”.

She wrote on X: “Early warning signs are often evident with many individuals exhibiting concerning behaviours and making violent threats online prior to their actions.”

She claimed that taking notice of those signs “and acting quickly can save lives and make American communities safer”.

“To prevent future tragedies, it is crucial we look into behavioural threat assessments across all levels of society – beginning in our homes, extending through school districts and of course, social media platforms,” she said.

‘We lost two angels’, school principal says

04:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The school’s principal, Matt DeBoer, mourned the loss of two students after the shooting, calling them “two angels”.

He praised teachers and students as heroes and urged the community to pray, support families, and take action to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.

“I love you, you’re so brave, and I’m so sorry this happened to us today,” he told the students.

“I beg you,” he said at a press conference. “I ask you to please pray, but don’t stop with your words. Let’s make a difference and support this community’s children, these families, these teachers. Never again can we let this happen.”

NYC buildings to fly at half-staff in solidarity with Minnesota, says Eric Adams

04:15 , Mike Bedigan

Eric Adams has announced that, in solidarity with the those affected by the tragedy in Minneapolis, flags on city buildings in New York City will be flown at half-staff.

“In mourning and recognition of the tragic school shooting in Minneapolis, all flags on city buildings and stationary flagstaffs throughout the five boroughs are being lowered to half-staff,” the mayor wrote on X.

“Our hearts and prayers are with all those impacted by this senseless violence.”

Minnesota's state flag proclamation, per Governor Tim Walz

04:00 , Mike Bedigan

Flags across Minnesota will be flown at half-staff, Governor Tim Walz has said in an official state proclamation.

Here’s a copy of the full statement:

In pictures: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz meets Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey

03:45 , Mike Bedigan
(AP)
(AP)
(AP)

AOC calls on Congress to 'act to keep kids safe'

03:30 , Mike Bedigan

Ilhan Omar hopes leaders will 'love our children more than they love their guns'

03:21 , Mike Bedigan

Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar also called for leaders to enact changes to “free” America from “the violence of guns in our country.”

“The kids were praying when they were assassinated,” she said, speaking at a vigil Wednesday night. “So what does that tell us?”

“That tells us that there is something fundamentally broken in our society.... How can we call ourselves ‘Great’ as a nation if we cannot protect the most precious which is our children – our future.

“So it is up to us to make sure this tragedy does not visit any other community in this country ever, and we do that by reminding reminding folks that you can change whatever laws that you want in Minneapolis, you can change whatever the laws that you want in Minnesota.

“But if we do not change the laws of these United States of America, none of our kids are going to be safe.”

The congresswoman added: “I hope that commitment is to be shared by the other leaders in our nation, a commitment that they are going to love our children more than they love their guns.

“That it is important that we are free from the violence of guns in this country, and that we are free to see our children become adults and raise their children – because we owe it to them.”

Former president Joe Biden: 'No parent should ever have to bury their child'

03:15 , Mike Bedigan

Former president Joe Biden has lamented that “no parent should ever have to bury their child,” as he responded to news of the tragedy in Minneapolis.

“Jill and I are heartbroken and there are simply no words to adequately mark such a horrific and painful moment,” he wrote on X. “With all our hearts, we are praying for the victims, their families, and the community of Minneapolis.”

Biden himself has personally experienced the devastating loss of two children, having lost his firstborn daughter Naomi Christina Biden, in a car crash in December 1972 when she was just 13 months old.

His eldest son Beau Biden, also passed away in May 2015 from brain cancer at the age of 46.

Klobuchar: 'Sixth graders should not have to protect first graders. We should be doing that'

03:07 , Mike Bedigan

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar made another impassioned plea for change as she spoke at a vigil for the Annunciation Church and Catholic School victims Wednesday night.

“My prayer tonight is this is the vigil that makes a difference, that the stories of these families that I talked to tonight, when they get through their grief enough to tell them... when people hear the stories of the older kids literally laying on top of the little kids and the teachers heroic actions and the members of the church, they should not have to do this.

“Sixth graders should not have to protect first graders. We should be doing that.”

Amy Klobuchar says former staffer’s daughter present during shooting

03:00 , Mike Bedigan

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar says that her former staffer’s daughter had been present during Wednesday’s horrific shooting, and seen two of her friends get shot.

Speaking to CNN, Klobuchar revealed that the youngster had seen her friends be struck, one in the neck and the other in the stomach.

The senator said the girl was at the Annunciation Catholic Church with her siblings when the shooting took place.

“The kids were crawling under the pews and then she ran out,” Klobuchar told CNN. “She was the one that told the dad of one of the kids that his child had been shot.”

Older kids had shown incredible bravery by protecting younger children, the Senator added.

Klobuchar said the Wednesday’s tragedy also demonstrated the need for change.

“These kids praying in a church, packed into the pews, joyful about their first week in school, their new teacher, and then getting shot through church windows. If that isn’t enough to move people that we have to make some changes in this country, I don’t know what is,” she said.

Watch Live: Vigil held following school shooting in Minneapolis to honor victims

02:55 , Mike Bedigan

Kamala Harris urges leaders to 'have courage' following shooting

02:45 , Mike Bedigan

Former vice president Kamala Harris said that U.S. leaders must “have courage” to stop tragic events such as the Minneapolis shooting Wednesday.

“The beginning of a new school year should be filled with excitement and anticipation. But today, it was marred by yet another act of senseless gun violence,” Harris wrote on X.

“The students, teachers, and community of Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis now share a traumatic experience that has affected far too many Americans.”

Harris added that she had spoken with her former presidential running mate and Minnesota Governor Walz to share her and her husband Doug Emhoff’s grief for the families impacted.

“We know the solutions. Our leaders must have the courage to act to stop these tragedies,” she added.

Bill Clinton joins leaders in condemning 'gun violence epidemic'

02:30 , Mike Bedigan

Candelit vigil taking place in Minnesota park to honor victims

02:15 , Mike Bedigan

New York Governor joins condemnation of gun laws following Minnesota shooting

02:01 , Mike Bedigan

Fox News commentator: 'The common denominator is not transgender... it's a gun'

01:30 , Mike Bedigan

Fox news commentator Harold Ford Jr. highlighted the “common denominator” in all instances of mass shootings such as Wednesday’s tragedy.

“We do know the common denominator and all this, the guns,” Ford said, speaking on an episode of The Five.

“Now, I'm not a big mouth about guns this or guns that, but at some level, the sanctity and the misapplication of the Second Amendment can't supersede every conversation about the lives of our kids, the lives of our family members.

My kids go to a church affiliated school, and the first day of schools in a week. I can't imagine at Chapel something like this happening. I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone.

“The common denominator in everyone is not a transgender. It's not a this or that. It's a gun.”

The suspected shooter Robin Westman was initially referred to as “he” by authorities, though court documents later revealed their name had been legally changed to Robin, and that Westman identified as a woman.

Obama condemns 'yet another act of unspeakable, unnecessary violence'

01:15 , Mike Bedigan

Recap: The victims

01:01 , Mike Bedigan

Here’s what we know about the victims of Wednesday’s tragic incident at a church, adjacent to Annunciation Catholic School.

Authorities said that two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed. Both were students at the Annunciation School.

In addition, fourteen other children were injured. They ranged in age between six and 15.

Three adult parishioners attending the mass at the time of the shooting were also injured, but survived, according to police.

Minneapolis Archbishop calls for end to gun violence which are 'far too commonplace'

Thursday 28 August 2025 00:45 , Mike Bedigan

In his statement Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda called for an end to gun violence and the “horrific acts of violence” that he said were “far too commonplace.”

“That today’s tragedy occurred only a day after the tragic shooting near Cristo Rey High School increases the sadness about the pain and anger that is present in our communities,” Hebda said.

“We need an end to gun violence. Our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetrated against the vulnerable and innocent. They are far too commonplace.

“While we need to commit to working to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies, we also need to remind ourselves that we have a God of peace and of love, and that it is his love that we will need most as we strive to embrace those who are hurting so deeply.”

Minneapolis Archbishop releases statement following church shooting

Thursday 28 August 2025 00:30 , Mike Bedigan

Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis released the following statement in response to Wednesday’s tragedy.

“I am so grateful for the many promises of prayers that have been coming in from the Holy Father, Pope Leo, and from so many from all around the globe, all praying for the families of Annunciation Parish and School and for all who were impacted by this morning’s senseless violence.

“I beg for the continued prayers of all of the priests and faithful of this Archdiocese, as well for the prayers of all men and women of good will, that the healing that only God can bring will be poured out on all those who were present at this morning’s Mass and particularly for the affected families who are only now beginning to comprehend the trauma they sustained.

“We lift up the souls of those who lost their lives to our loving God through the intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Peace.”

The statement continued: “My heart is broken as I think about students, teachers, clergy and parishioners and the horror they witnessed in a Church, a place where we should feel safe.

“Members of the Archdiocesan staff are working with the parish and school teams to make sure they have the support and resources they need at this time and beyond.”

Minneapolis Archdiocese to hold special mass at 7 p.m. following shooting

Thursday 28 August 2025 00:15 , Mike Bedigan

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, which supports Catholics in and around the Twin Cities metro area, has announced a special 7 p.m. mass will be held, following the tragic shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School.

The service will led by Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda.

“My heart is broken as I think about students, teachers, clergy and parishioners and the horror they witnessed in a Church, a place where we should feel safe,” Hebda said in a statement.

Pope and US Catholic Bishops react to shooting

Thursday 28 August 2025 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Pope Leo XIV has expressed his profound sorrow and offered prayers following a shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, describing the incident as a "terrible tragedy."

The pontiff, the first American pope, conveyed his condolences via telegram, stating he was “profoundly saddened” by the events at Annunciation Catholic School. He extended his sympathies “to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child,” and affirmed his prayers for the injured, medical teams, first responders, and the wider Catholic community.

The message, signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, was addressed to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul-Minneapolis.

In a separate response, Archbishop William E. Lori, vice-president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement on behalf of the Church.

“As a Church, we are following the tragic news from Annunciation School in Minneapolis with heartbreaking sadness,” Archbishop Lori said. “Whenever one part of the Body of Christ is wounded, we feel the pain as if it were our very own children. Let us all beg the Lord for the protection and healing of the entire Annunciation family.”

Fox News commentator urges Trump to have 'real conversation' with gunmakers

Wednesday 27 August 2025 23:52 , Mike Bedigan

Fox news commentator Harold Ford Jr. has urged Donald Trump to have a “real conversation” with gunmakers and other policy makers in order to figure out a solution to the endemic of U.S. gun violence.

“What I encourage President Trump to do... He has done so many huge things and challenged so many things that we thought were immovable,” Ford said, speaking on The Five.

“I would encourage the president to bring together gun manufacturers, munition makers, politicians, policy makers, and have a real conversation here at the White House... about what more we can be doing to make sure that the people who should not be getting guns like this kid.

“Whatever he's done whatever he did, he wanted to be or not want to be he was he was mentally off, we've got to figure out a better way to deal with this than we.”

The suspected shooter Robin Westman was initially referred to as “he” by authorities, though court documents later revealed their name had been legally changed to Robin, and that Westman identified as a woman.

10-year-old says friend saved him by laying on top of him

Wednesday 27 August 2025 23:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Weston Halsne, a fifth-grader at Annunciation Catholic School, says his friend Victor was shot while lying on top of him during the shooting at their morning Mass.

Weston told NBC affiliate KARE that he got under a pew as shots came through the stained glass windows, covering his head—a tactic used regularly in school active shooter drills.

However, Weston added that they had never practiced an active shooter drill in the church.

“My friend Victor, like saved me, though, because he laid on top of me, but he got hit,” the 10-year-old boy said.

Victor was taken to the hospital, but Weston believes that “he's OK,” describing his friend as “really brave.”

He adds that he hopes that all the injured people who were taken to the hospital are OK.

Police Chief Brian O’Hara has since said that they are all expected to recover.

Man named in shooter's video condemns 'hateful and senseless act'

Wednesday 27 August 2025 23:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Fox News reports that a Texas Republican congressional candidate named in a disturbing video allegedly made by the prime suspect in Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Catholic church and school is speaking out and condemning the shooter’s “hateful and senseless act.”

Brandon Herrera, a Second Amendment activist and YouTuber, responded to being named in the shooter’s video in a statement emailed by his campaign to Fox News Digital.

Herrera said: “I'm horrified by this clearly hate-motivated attack on innocent children and disgusted that my name came out of this demon's mouth.”

He continued: “I meet thousands of people every year at SHOT Show in Las Vegas, but I don’t remember this individual at all, nor does anyone I was there with.”

“Nonetheless, I am making myself fully available to the FBI and any other law enforcement agency that have questions,” he added.

Herrera also mentioned that he is “coordinating with friends in law enforcement to see how my community and I can best support those families affected by this hateful and senseless act.”

In the video, supposedly posted by suspected shooter Robin Westman, the person filming says: “Brandon Herrera for president. Yeah, I met Brandon Herrera at SHOT Show last year, and he and I had a conversation, a brief conversation, we agreed on a lot of things, so y’all should vote for Brandon Herrera for president.”

SHOT Show, which is an acronym for “Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show,” is an annual trade show held in Las Vegas.

The video has now been removed from YouTube.

Everything we know about the Minneapolis church shooting and suspect

Wednesday 27 August 2025 23:00 , Kelly Rissman

The suspect behind the shooting at a Minnesota church that left two children dead and 17 other people hurt has been identified and online videos show an obsession with mass killers and elaborate plans just moments before the attack began.

Robin Westman, 23, has been identified as the suspect who started shooting around 8:30 a.m. at Annunciation Catholic School in a Minneapolis suburb. Westman died by suicide as police rushed to the scene. He fired dozens of rounds through the church as the school community was at Mass, marking the first week of school, authorities say. The two students killed were aged eight and 10. Several others were rushed to the hospital.

“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said.

Shortly after Westman was identified, videos reportedly from the suspect were shared on social media - though police have not released a motive for the attack.

Here is everything we know about the incident and the shooter:

Terror at Minneapolis church: Robin Westman identified as suspect in shooting

Mayor Frey: 'We can't just say that this shouldn't happen again, and then allow it to happen again and again'

Wednesday 27 August 2025 22:40 , Oliver O'Connell

I think the impetus has to be on all of us as leaders to do a whole lot more, to recognize that we've got more guns in this country than we have people, and it's on all of us to recognize the truth and the reality that we can't just say that this shouldn't happen again, and then allow it to happen again and again.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey

Shooting comes two months after top Democrat in state House killed

Wednesday 27 August 2025 22:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Today’s shooting comes just two months after the top Democrat in the Minnesota state House was killed.

The June 14 shootings in the northern Minneapolis suburbs left former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, dead. A state senator and his wife were also seriously injured. Authorities say they were attacked at their homes by a man disguised as a police officer.

The alleged gunman, Vance Boelter of Green Isle, is facing federal and state murder charges and other counts. He was indicted in July on six federal counts of murder, stalking and firearms violations. He pleaded not guilty to those charges earlier this month in federal court. The murder charges could carry the federal death penalty, though prosecutors haven’t decided yet whether to pursue that option.

Boelter also faces state charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder and charges of impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty. The maximum penalty on the state charges is life in prison because Minnesota doesn’t have the death penalty.

Watch: Archbishop Bernard Hebda reads a message from Pope Leo XIV

Wednesday 27 August 2025 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Westman once attended school he attacked

Wednesday 27 August 2025 21:35 , Oliver O'Connell

A 2017 yearbook from Annunciation Catholic School showed that Robin Westman, who went by Robert at the time, attended the school for at least one year, The Star Tribune reports.

Fox News host: There’s a ‘modicum of peace’ that dead children are with Jesus

Wednesday 27 August 2025 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Fox News host Trey Gowdy reacted on Wednesday to the breaking news that two children had been killed in a mass shooting at a Minnesota church by stating that “the only thing that can give us any modicum of peace at all” is that the victims were with Jesus Christ now.

Justin Baragona reports.

Fox host: There’s a ‘modicum of peace’ that dead kids are with Jesus after shooting

Klobuchar says daughter of former staffer was at church

Wednesday 27 August 2025 21:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar says the daughter of her former staff member saw the attack first-hand.

Speaking to CBS News, she said that the children were packed into the church and praying, “and the next thing you know, shots are coming in through their windows.”

“They're stuck inside,” she added.

Klobuchar told the network that the girl, who was one of the older students present, saw several of her friends get shot in the stomach and neck and had to break the news to a schoolfriend’s father that his daughter had been shot.

“You think of the horror of watching these kids get shot... lying down underneath these pews trying to save themselves.”

Watch: Gov. Tim Walz addresses reporters after mass shooting

Wednesday 27 August 2025 21:09 , Oliver O'Connell

All injured victims are expected to survive, police chief says

Wednesday 27 August 2025 21:08 , Oliver O'Connell

Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed the identity of the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman, adding that Westman had no prior criminal history and law enforcement believes he acted alone.

In addition to the two fatalities, O’Hara said the injured children were aged between six and 15, and the three adults wounded were in their 80s.

All remaining victims are expected to survive.

“I believe all of them have their parents with them now and they are all expected to survive,” O’Hara says of the remaining victims.

Walz: ‘Minnesotans will not step away’

Wednesday 27 August 2025 21:06 , Oliver O'Connell

Governor Tim Walz spoke to reporters in Minneapolis this afternoon: “There’s no words that’s going to ease the pain of the families today,” the governor said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Walz called the church a place founded on community, service and family.

“What happened here today will not be gone. Minnesotans will not step away. We’re standing with this community,” Walz said during the news conference.

He added that violence is all too common across the country and “it’s Minnesota’s day today.”

“It’s my strongest desire that no state, no community, no school ever experiences a day like this,” he said.

Noem calls shooter 'deranged monster' and 'deeply sick'

Wednesday 27 August 2025 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has issued the following statement on the shooting in Minneapolis.

Noem wrote on X: “We have confirmation that the shooter at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, MN was a 22 year-old man, claiming to be transgender.

“This deranged monster targeted our most vulnerable: young children praying in their first morning Mass of the school year. This deeply sick murderer scrawled the words ‘For the Children’ and ‘Where is your God?’ and ‘Kill Donald Trump’ on a rifle magazine.

“This level of violence is unthinkable. Our deepest prayers are with the children, parents, families, educators, and Christians everywhere. We mourn with them, we pray for healing, and we will never forget them.”

Watch: Mayor warns against hate directed at trans community

Wednesday 27 August 2025 20:57 , Oliver O'Connell

Mayor Jacob Frey addresses hate being directed at the trans community in the aftermath of the shooting.

“And I have heard about a whole lot of hate that's being directed at our trans community. Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community or any other community out there has lost their sense of common humanity,” he said.

“We should not be operating out of a place of hate for anyone. We should be operating from a place of love for our kids. This needs to be about them.”

Mayor Frey says 'we need to do more than talking ... there has to be action'

Wednesday 27 August 2025 20:53 , Oliver O'Connell

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, speaking alongside Governor Tim Walz, says: “We need to do more than talking. It can't just be words. There has to be action.”

He adds: “The impetus has to be on all of us as leaders to do a whole lot more. We have more guns in this country than we have people.”

Watch: 'You never should have to hide from a shooter'

Wednesday 27 August 2025 20:45 , Oliver O'Connell

A former student of Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota spoke to CBS News, saying she is “enraged and in shock” after two children were killed during a shooting at a Mass marking the start of the school year.

Westman's mother once worked at Annunciation School

Wednesday 27 August 2025 20:44 , Oliver O'Connell

KARE11 cites law enforcement sources as saying that the suspected shooter, Robin Westman, grew up in the nearby city of Richfield.

Westman’s mother was once an employee at Annunciation School and retired in 2021.

The NBC affiliate also reports that it is believed Westman had attended the school for at least one year and had visited the premises in the last week while teachers prepared for the upcoming school year.

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Homes & Gardens
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