Tragic Shooting at Minneapolis Church Leaves Two Children Dead and Several Injured
On Wednesday, August 27, a heartbreaking shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 18 others. This incident unfolded during a Mass service attended by students.
Witnesses captured dramatic footage showing schoolchildren in uniforms fleeing the scene. A father, Anders Holine, arrived at the church after hearing gunfire and began recording while desperately searching for his two daughters, aged 6 and 9. He was relieved to find one of them and later discovered the other had taken refuge at a nearby Starbucks with other students and teachers.
The video shared by news outlets illustrates the chaos as children ducked and ran for safety, some even climbing over pews to escape the danger. According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, 15 children, aged 6 to 15, suffered gunshot wounds, along with three elderly adults also injured in the attack.
The shooter was identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who reportedly barricaded the church doors before firing through the windows. O’Hara indicated that Westman used three legally purchased firearms—a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol—firing numerous rounds before taking his own life behind the church.
The FBI is currently treating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism, targeting the Catholic community. They are also investigating a manifesto linked to Westman to understand his motive, which has yet to be determined.
