2 Killed, 17 Injured in Minneapolis Shooting: What We Know
- - 2 Killed, 17 Injured in Minneapolis Shooting: What We Know
Chantelle LeeAugust 28, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Two children were killed and 17 other people were injured after a gunman opened fire at a Catholic school in Minneapolis on Wednesday, in what the city police chief called an “absolutely incomprehensible” act of violence.
The victims were attending a morning Mass that marked the start of the school year at Annunciation Catholic School when the shooting occurred shortly before 8:30 a.m. local time, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said during a press briefing later that day. The two children who died were eight and 10 years old, and had been sitting in the pews, O’Hara said. Of the 17 people who were injured in the shooting, 14 are children between the ages of six and 15, and three are adult parishioners in their 80s. All 17 people who were injured are expected to survive, though their injuries range in severity, according to O’Hara.
“There are no words that can capture the horror and the evil of this unspeakable act,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at a press briefing. “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now; these kids were literally praying.”
The suspect, who was later found dead from what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, according to O’Hara. At this time, there’s no evidence that any other suspects were involved, and authorities believe that Westman acted alone.
O’Hara said that the shooter approached the side of the church from the outside and fired shots through the windows toward the children sitting in the pews during Mass. Authorities found a rifle, shotgun, and pistol—all of which were legally purchased recently—and believe that the suspect fired “dozens” of rounds from all three weapons.
“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping," O’Hara said. “The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.”
On the side of the church that the shooter approached, at least two doors to the building appeared to have been barricaded from the outside by two-by-fours, O’Hara said.
Officers provided first aid and rescued people hiding in the building after arriving on the scene. Other first responders arrived and transported victims to nearby hospitals.
The investigation is still underway. Westman doesn’t have a prior criminal history, according to O’Hara. The police chief said that investigators had discovered a manifesto that the suspect had scheduled to release on YouTube, which appeared to show the suspect at the scene and “included some disturbing writings.” Authorities were able to take the content down, and are now reviewing it to determine a possible motive.
Dozens of children were in the church at the time of the shooting, according to O’Hara. The children were moved into the school, where they were reunited with their families.
City officials expressed their condolences to the families of the victims, and said the community would support them.
“To the families that are suffering, to those that have experienced loss: I’m so deeply sorry,” Frey said. “We’re going to be with you every step of the way. We love you. This kind of act of evil should never happen, and it happens far too often.”
There have been 286 reported mass shootings so far this year, as of Wednesday, according to the Gun Violence Archive. There were 503 in 2024, 659 in 2023, and 644 in 2022.
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President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he had been “fully briefed” on the Minneapolis shooting, adding, “The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!”
Trump ordered that the American flag at the White House be flown at half-staff until sunset on Aug. 31, out of respect for the victims of the shooting.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joined city officials at a second press briefing later in the day, saying that the tragedy on Wednesday was “all too common, not just in Minnesota, but across this country.”
“It’s my strongest desire that no state, no community, no school, ever experiences a day like this,” Walz said. “I ask the rest of folks around the country who are watching: keep us in your thoughts and prayers, but also keep us in the thoughts for action, keep us in the idea that we can work together.”
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Source: “AOL AOL General News”
