A quiet morning Mass turned into a nightmare when gunfire shattered the peace at Annunciation Catholic School, leaving two children dead and 17 others wounded.
For 10-year-old Weston Halsne, survival came down to one heroic act.
“My friend Victor, like, saved me,” Weston told KARE 11. “He laid on top of me, but he got hit.”
Weston and dozens of classmates had gathered inside the church for their first school-year Mass when shots exploded through the stained-glass windows just before 8:30 a.m. Children screamed and dove under pews. Some prayed. Others froze.
Police say the gunman, 23-year-old Robin M. Westman, opened fire with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. Investigators believe he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound moments after the attack.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara called the scene “unthinkable.”
“These were kids praying. And someone came here to kill them,” O’Hara said at a press conference.
Among the dead are an 8-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy. Fourteen other children are hospitalized, along with three elderly parishioners.
Weston says he still can’t process what happened. “I was super scared,” he whispered. “I just hope Victor’s okay.”
Teachers pulled students into back rooms while police stormed the campus. Parents raced to the school, desperate for news.
According to local reports, Westman had deep connections to the church. His mother once worked at the school, and he reportedly attended Annunciation as a child.
Authorities say he had no significant criminal history. Federal investigators are now examining whether the attack was motivated by anti-Catholic sentiment.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the shooting is being investigated as domestic terrorism and a possible hate crime.
Outside the church, a growing memorial of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes now covers the front steps.
Mayor Jacob Frey struggled to hold back emotion. “They were children. In church. This city is broken right now.”
President Donald Trump ordered flags nationwide flown at half-staff through August 31. The Vatican released a statement from Pope Leo XIV, offering “prayers for the innocent souls lost and for healing in Minneapolis.”
What We Know So Far
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Time of Attack | Aug. 27, 2025, ~8:30 a.m. |
| Location | Annunciation Catholic School & Church, Minneapolis |
| Fatalities | 2 children (ages 8 and 10) |
| Injuries | 17 wounded — 14 kids, 3 adults |
| Shooter | Robin M. Westman, 23 — died at the scene |
| Weapons Used | Rifle, shotgun, pistol |
| Investigation | FBI probing motive; possible hate crime |
| Community Impact | Flags at half-staff; Vatican offers prayers |
The city of Minneapolis has declared a week of mourning as investigators comb through the shooter’s past and motive.
For Weston, there’s only one thing on his mind: “Victor’s the bravest person I know,” he said quietly. “I hope he comes back to school.”
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I don’t know why there is so much hate and violence in our world today, I guess the devil is working overtime. We are all God’s children and he loves each of us with everything he has, perhaps it is time to for us to love each other as God does.
Sad that addicts including religics keep doing this evil…
We are commanded to love GOD with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, our neighbors as ourselves and our enemies too. On those two commandments hang all the laws and the prophets.
Love is of GOD and everyone that loves is born of GOD and knows GOD. He who does not love, does not know GOD, for GOD IS LOVE
(AGAPE).
GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whoever believes in JESUS should not perish but have eternal life.
JESUS said HE is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. No one comes to the FATHER but through HIM.
Let us believe in JESUS and love as HE has loved us.
LOVE CREATES, HATE DESTROYS.
Religion fuels all the unneeded wars…