Updated Thursday Aug. 28: Two children dead; 18 other people injured in shooting

August 27, 2025

August 28, 2025 - 5 p.m. update: Additional details into investigation released

City and public safety officials at the county, state and federal levels continue to investigate yesterday’s shooting at the Church of the Annunciation. The Minneapolis Police Department has increased patrols at Annunciation.  

As families prepare to return to school, the City is also coordinating with the St. Paul Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement across the metro area to expand patrols around all schools within the city over the next couple of weeks. This also includes support from 14 Minnesota State Patrol troopers and six Department of Natural Resources enforcement officers are assisting the City of Minneapolis. The responders will be organized into two-person squads, with two squads assigned per precinct across five precincts in Minneapolis, with a particular focus on schools and places of worship. 

Updated details on the investigation 

  • The victims: 
    • Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in yesterday’s shooting. They were both students at the Annunciation School. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will release identities as available.  
    • Fifteen other children, between the ages 6 and 15, were injured.  
    • Three adult parishioners in their 80s who were attending mass at the time of the shooting were also injured. 
  • 116 rifle casings, three shotgun shell casings and one live pistol round were recovered at the scene.  
  • Video surveillance appears to confirm that the shooter did not enter the church.
  • The practice of locking the doors once Mass began likely prevented a worse incident. At the same time, the suspect attempted to barricade a door from the outside, preventing exit from the church. 
  • Police yesterday identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman. Police say the shooter, who took their own life, used three different firearms to carry out the act, and they believe Westman acted alone. The guns used in the incident were purchased legally. 
  • Four search warrants have been executed at the church and three other locations around the metro: South Minneapolis, Richfield and St. Louis Park. Hundreds of pieces of evidence including writings, electronics and no additional firearms have been recovered as part of these searches.  
  • Police say a motive is still unclear.  

Mental health resources and opportunities to help 

The City published a page on its website with mental health resources and advice for parents and caregivers on how to talk to children about the tragedy. It also includes a disaster distress hotline. The site can be found here.  

Officials say donating money is the best way for members of the community to support the victims of the shooting. The Minneapolis Foundation has established a text-to-donate line. The public can text ACF1 to 41444. The Minneapolis Foundation is hosting this fund and will work with the Annunciation community in the coming days and weeks to equitably distribute the funds to those affected. 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has ordered United States and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota immediately, in honor of the victims and their families. 

Resources: 

 

###

 

August 28, 2025 - 11:45 a.m. update: Additional injured victim identified in shooting at Minneapolis church

City builds webpage for mental health resources, ways to help

City and public safety officials say one additional injured victim has been identified in yesterday’s shooting at the Church of the Annunciation on Wednesday morning, bringing the total injured to 18.

Updated details on the investigation

The victims:

    • Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in yesterday’s shooting. They were both students at the Annunciation School. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will release identities as available.
    • Fifteen other children, between the ages 6 and 15, were injured.
    • Three adult parishioners attending the mass at the time of the shooting were also injured.
  • The Minneapolis Police Department has increased patrols at Annunciation. The City is also coordinating with the St. Paul Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement across the metro area to expand patrols around all schools within the city over the next couple of weeks.
  • Fourteen Minnesota State Patrol troopers and six Department of Natural Resources enforcement officers are assisting the City of Minneapolis. The responders will be organized into two-person squads, with two squads assigned per precinct across five precincts in Minneapolis, with a particular focus on schools and places of worship.
  • Police yesterday identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman. Police say the shooter, who took their own life, used three different firearms to carry out the act, and they believe Westman acted alone. The guns used in the incident were purchased legally.
  • Four search warrants have been executed at the church and three other locations around the metro. Additional firearms have been recovered as part of these searches.
  • Police say a motive is still unclear.

News conference

Members of Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action – along with city leaders and other elected officials – are hosting a news conference at 1 p.m. today in the Minneapolis City Hall rotunda (350 Fifth St. S., Minneapolis). It will also be live-streamed on the City’s YouTube channel. Please make efforts to include ASL interpreters in the broadcast views.

Additional news conferences will be planned as needed.

Mental health resources and opportunities to help

The City published a page on its website with mental health resources and advice for parents and caregivers on how to talk to children about the tragedy. It also includes a disaster distress hotline. The site can be found here.

Officials say donating money is the best way for members of the community to support the victims of the shooting. The Minneapolis Foundation has established a text-to-donate line. The public can text ACF1 to 41444. The Minneapolis Foundation is hosting this fund and will work with the Annunciation community in the coming days and weeks to equitably distribute the funds to those affected.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has ordered United States and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota immediately, in honor of the victims and their families.

Resources:


###

August 27, 2025 - 4:00 p.m. update:

Suspected shooter identified; used legal firearms to carry out crime 

City and public safety officials released new information in the shooting at the Church of the Annunciation on Wednesday morning.

Updated details on the investigation

  • The victims:
    • Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in today’s shooting. They were both students at the Annunciation School.  
    • Fifteen [UPDATED Aug. 28, 2025] other children, between the ages 6 and 15, were injured.  
    • Three adult parishioners attending the mass at the time of the shooting were also injured. 
  • Police have identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman. Police say the shooter used three different firearms to carry out the act, and they believe Westman acted alone. The guns used in the incident were purchased legally. 
  • Four search warrants are currently being executed at the church and three other locations around the metro. Additional firearms have been recovered as part of these searches.  
  • Police say a motive is unclear. A suspected manifesto allegedly posted by the shooter was taken down by law enforcement. 

Vigils and donations

The City encourages the public to attend various vigils being planned tonight by community organizations in honor of the victims.

In addition, donating money is the best way for members of the community to support the victims of the shooting. The Minneapolis Foundation has established a text-to-donate line. The public can text ACF1 to 41444. The Minneapolis Foundation is hosting this fund and will work with the Annunciation community in the coming days and weeks to equitably distribute the funds to those affected.

Resources: 

 

###

August 27, 2025 - 11 a.m. update:

Two children are dead and 18 other people [UPDATED Aug. 28, 2025] are injured after a suspected shooter fired through the windows of the Church of the Annunciation (509 W. 54th St.) in Minneapolis during a morning mass service to mark the beginning of the school year.

Police say an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old died, and initial reports indicate 17 other people are injured. Fifteen of the 18 [UPDATED Aug. 28, 2025] are children. Two of the 18 people injured are in critical condition.  

Families of the students are asked to go to the Annunciation School for reunification and additional resources (525 W. 54th St.).

“There are no words that can capture the horror and tragedy of the unspeakable act of evil at Annunciation Catholic Church. Children have been killed, more are injured, and our community is shaken. Right now, our entire city needs to wrap these families in love and support. The City is setting up a family assistance center to provide them with resources and care,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “We are a Minneapolis family. Don't think about these children just as someone else's kids. Think of them as your own. This was their first week of school. They should be laughing and goofing off in the hallways right now. They should be learning and playing with their friends on the playground.” 

Investigation and Details 

Just before 8:30 a.m., Minneapolis police responded to a call about an active shooting at the Church. The shooter, whose identity has not been released, approached the side of the building and started shooting through the windows of the church. Police say the shooter died at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. There is currently no safety threat to the public at this time, and a motive for the incident is unknown.  

Police were on scene immediately to render emergency first aid to the victims and rescue other children and adults who were hiding in parts of the building. A vehicle believed to belong to the shooter will be searched, along with other areas known to police.  

“Our entire community has been traumatized by this attack,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “Our hearts are broken by the sheer cruelty of this tragedy and deliberate act against kids. MPD and the broader law enforcement community share in this immense grief with our community, the Annunciation parish and the families of the victims.”  

Multiple Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) agents and crime scene teams are assisting with the investigation.  

Statement from Minneapolis City Council Members Emily Koski and Linea Palmisano who’s wards border the shooting scene: 

“This is a heartbreaking day for our city. Today, we must come together in compassion and support for those directly impacted. Our hearts are with the students, families, educators, and clergy of Annunciation. Please hold our community in your thoughts as we navigate this tragedy together. 

“We want to thank the first responders whose quick and courageous actions contained the threat and prevented this tragedy from becoming even worse.”  

Resources:

###

Share