| Annunciation Catholic Church shooting | |
|---|---|
 Police in front of the school | |
| Location | 44°54′17″N93°17′8″W / 44.90472°N 93.28556°W /44.90472; -93.28556 Church of the Annunciation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Date | August 27, 2025 (2025-08-27) |
| Target | Worshippers at all-school Mass; Annunciation Catholic Church and School community |
Attack type | |
| Weapons |
|
| Deaths | 3 (including the perpetrator) |
| Injured | 30 (including one non-gunshot victim) |
| Perpetrator | Robin Westman |
On the morning of August 27, 2025, amass shooting occurred at theChurch of the Annunciation in theWindom neighborhood ofMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States. The attack took place during a scheduled school-wideMass attended by the students and faculty of AnnunciationCatholic School. Two children, Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, and the perpetrator died in the shooting. Thirty other people were injured: twenty-six schoolchildren and three elderly people from gunfire as well as a victim who sustained non-gunshot wounds. The perpetrator was identified as Robin M. Westman.[4][5]
Annunciation Catholic Church and its affiliatedparochial school have been insouthwest Minneapolis for more than a century. The parish community held its first Mass in 1922. On September 10, 1923, fourDominican Sisters opened Annunciation School in a new red-brick church-school building.[6][7] The school enrolls students frompre-kindergarten to eighth grade.[8][9] It offers daily religion classes and emphasizes service projects for each grade level.[6] Enrollment in 2024 was about 340 students.[6] The students practiced active shooter drills in the school but not in the attached church.[10]
The shooting occurred two months after another act of violence in Minnesota that drew national attention: theshootings of state representativeMelissa Hortman and her husband, and state senatorJohn Hoffman and his wife. The Hortmans were killed in the shooting and the Hoffmans were injured.[11] On August 26, the day before the Annunciation attack, another mass shooting occurred outsideCristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis, injuring six and killing one.[12]
The attack at the church took place in the first week of classes at Annunciation School, during an all-school Mass scheduled for 8:15 a.m.CDT. Shortly before 8:30 a.m., an individual approached the side of the church and fired dozens of rounds from a rifle through the stained-glass windows towards worshippers inside;[13] police later said the assailant also had a shotgun and a pistol that jammed.[11][13] The assailant had barricaded at least two exit doors from the outside with lumber, making escape routes for those inside hard to find.[13]
Witnesses later stated that they thought the gunfire was a prank or firecrackers before realizing and dropping to the ground, with the principal shouting shortly after to get down. Others indicated that, during the shooting, they prayed and asked forabsolution, believing they were going to die.[14] There were multiple reports of students and adults protecting each other, with one child reportedly being shot in the back while shielding another. A parent stated he felt the school's buddy system of pairing the older children with the younger caused many of the older students to be wounded, as they were upright longer after pushing their younger buddy under the pew.[15]
Many parents and neighbors of the church and school ran towards the gunfire once they realized what it was.[16] A neighbor recounted that, after the first three shots, he realized it was gunfire and ran to the church, where he saw three cartridges on the ground. Another neighbor came across three children fleeing the building and comforted one with a head wound.[10] One mother had just returned home after dropping off her preschool-aged son when the gunfire erupted; she ran back to the church and alerted the teachers. While on her way there, she saw emergency responders and neighbors helping bloodied children out of the church.[17]
The gunfire lasted roughly two minutes,[18] ending when the shooter died by suicide in the rear parking lot.[19] Approximately 116 rifle bullet casings, one unfired pistol cartridge, and three shotgun shell casings were recovered from the scene.[20][21] The handgun appeared to have malfunctioned.[21]
The initial 9-1-1 calls came in around 8:27 a.m.Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers entered the building within minutes to render aid and rescue students.[22] Paramedics transported victims who were injured to area hospitals, includingHennepin County Medical Center (HCMC).[23] The city directed families to the school building to reunite with students, and a family assistance center for support services was set up.[24] Some students were reunited with their parents in the school's gym.[25]
Shortly after 9 a.m., authorities said that there was no ongoing threat. The response involved theMinnesota State Patrol, theMinnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), agents from theFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and specialists from theBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), alongside the MPD and theMinneapolis Fire Department (MFD). TheCity of Minneapolis gave the all-clear at 9:29 a.m.[24][26]
Harper Moyski, 10 years old,[27][28] and Fletcher Merkel, 8 years old, died in the shooting. Moyski's parents shared a message demanding action to address gun violence.[27][29] Officials did not immediately release the names of the deceased children; instead, the Merkel and Moyski families identified their children to the public after the attack.[27]
Thirty other people were injured: twenty-six children, three adults (parishioners in their 80s) and a person who sustained a non-gunshot wound.[30] Authorities said the wounded children included elementary- and middle-school students, ages 6 to 15.[27][28]
Officials said that all of the injured were expected to survive. Several victims were released from hospitals later on the same day, while others sustained more serious injuries.[13][31]
Critical cases were routed to HCMC while noncritical pediatric patients went toChildren's Minnesota Hospital, and noncritical adults toNorth Memorial Hospital. HCMC's emergency department reported that they treated ten patients overall from the scene. Later that day, the hospital said one adult and five children were in critical condition, and one adult and three children were being treated for non–life-threatening injuries. Four patients required surgery, according to HCMC and city officials.[28][32] Two children were hospitalized for weeks with severe injuries. One was released from the hospital on September 8 after undergoing two brain surgeries.[29][33]
Local, state, and federal authorities opened a joint investigation led by the Minneapolis Police Department with assistance from the FBI and theATF. Federal officials stated that the case was being investigated as an act ofdomestic terrorism and ananti-Catholic hate crime.[11][34][35] MPD Chief Brian O'Hara said investigators executed search warrants at three residences in theTwin Cities area and searched a vehicle which was believed to belong to the suspect. Investigators collected and reviewed online materials—including videos and writings which were scheduled to be published onYouTube via time-release. The posts were removed shortly after being released.[36][34]
Authorities said that the assailant acted alone, had no known criminal history, and used a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol which were all purchased legally and "recently", according to O'Hara. The ATF assisted with firearms tracing.[24][37][38][39] Investigators said that they were still working to determine a precise motive.[11][13][40]
Westman's father's house, located less than one mile (1.6 km) from the church, was cordoned off with crime scene tape and police were stationed outside.[41]
The perpetrator was identified by law enforcement as 23-year-old Robin M. Westman.[8][42][41] Westman's mother had worked at Annunciation School,[42][25] and Westman had attended Annunciation School before graduating in 2017.[43]
Westman wasassigned male at birth and had at one point identified astransgender. Westman's name waslegally changed in 2019.[44] In diary entries from before the shooting, Westman expressed disillusionment with being trans.[45][46] There is no evidence that Westman had begunreceiving gender affirming care or hormone replacement therapy.[47]
Westman posted two YouTube videos, showing writings which referenced suicide, "extremelyviolent thoughts and ideas", a message addressed "to my family and friends", and a drawing of the layout of a church.[48] The video showed messages written on the guns andmagazines. These messages includedantisemitic,anti-Catholic, andracist phrases, "killDonald Trump", "6 million wasn't enough", and the names of several mass shooters.[49][50][51] The channel was taken down shortly after the uploads.[52]
Parents of both deceased victims issued statements, memorializing their children and thanking the community and their friends and family for support.[15]
Hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil atLynnhurst Park in southwest Minneapolis, organized by Protect Minnesota andMoms Demand Action.[41][53] During the days immediately afterward, mourners created a sidewalk memorial of flowers, notes, and candles outside Annunciation Church.[54]
That evening, more than 600 people attended a prayer vigil at theAcademy of Holy Angels, with ArchbishopBernard Hebda, Governor Tim Walz, and SenatorAmy Klobuchar in attendance.[41]Pope Leo XIV sent condolences by telegram fromthe Cardinal Secretary of State, conveying "spiritual closeness" to those affected.[55]
On September 1, more than 100 students and parents gathered at theMinnesota State Capitol to demand stricter gun laws after the shooting. Many called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. A similar rally was held at the Lake Harrietbandshell, where attendees called for gun control and memorialized victims.[56]
Shortly after the shooting, many Catholic educators and churches began to re-evaluate and reinforce their security protocols. TheArchdiocese of Los Angeles Catholic schools said many had to update plans as they had only focused on the attacker gaining entry into the building, while theArchdiocese of Chicago will hold active shooter drills in their churches.[57]
At a news conference, MayorJacob Frey of Minneapolis announced that the city would open a family resource center and urged concrete action beyond expressions of sympathy. "Don't just say this is aboutthoughts and prayers right now... These kids were literally praying," he said.[58] Frey added, "Anybody who is using this as an opportunity tovillainize our transgender community has lost their sense of common humanity."[59] Frey called for state and federal bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.[60]
Minnesota governorTim Walz called the attack "a tragedy that brought devastation to a place that should be a safe space for children to learn", and ordered state flags flown athalf-staff.[59] In response to the shooting, Minnesota lawmakerTom Emmer called for repealing thestate's transgender refuge law passed in 2023.[61]
Westman's uncleBob Heleringer, a member of theKentucky House of Representatives from 1980 to 2003,[62][63] wished that Westman "would've shot me instead of innocent schoolchildren".[64][65]
President Donald Trump said onTruth Social that he had been briefed on the shooting. He posted "Please join me in praying for everyone involved!"[59] Later on the same day, he released a presidential proclamation ordering that US flags be flown at half-staff nationwide through August 31, 2025.[66] Trump called Walz to offer condolences to Minnesotans.[59]
TheFBI said it was assisting local authorities; the Minneapolis field office's special agent in charge said the Bureau would "devote every available resource to support this ongoing investigative effort".[59] According to federal officials and local police the case is being investigated as domestic terrorism and an anti-Catholic hate crime.[13] Both Secretary of Homeland SecurityKristi Noem and FBI DirectorKash Patel made a point of emphasizing the shooter's gender identity in their statements.[67]
Advisors to the Trump Administration were also quoted byLe Monde as emphasizing the shooter's identity, with Trump advisor Alex Bruesewitz describing the shooter as "another deranged trans terrorist" and Defense SecretaryPete Hegseth's advisor Graham Allen saying that "Trans violence is not only a mental illness. I believe it isdemonic possession."[68] Assistant Attorney General for Civil RightsHarmeet Dhillon, a longtime legal advocate against access totransgender healthcare, blamed said care for the shooting - despite no evidence that the shooter had begun medical transition.[47] CongresswomanMarjorie Taylor Greene used the shooting to call for the federal criminalization of transgender care for minors.[67]
When asked whether psychiatric medications might be linked to violent behavior, Secretary of Health and Human ServicesRobert F. Kennedy Jr. replied that he was "launching studies on the potential contribution of some of the SSRI drugs and some of the other psychiatric drugs that might be contributing to violence". Minnesota SenatorTina Smith responded to his comment on social media, telling him to "just shut up" and "stop peddling bullshit."[69]
Flags at federal facilities were ordered tofly at half-staff nationwide through August 31 by presidential proclamation, and several governors issued parallel state orders.[70][71]
On September 3,Vice PresidentJD Vance and his wife,Usha, visited Annunciation Church and a local hospital,[72] meeting with families of those affected by the shooting.[73] After the Vances' private visit with the families of the deceased, one of the parents spoke out about the meeting and shared their letter to Vance pushing for common-sense bipartisan legislation to end mass shootings.[74]
Multiple news organizations reported that, in response to the shooting, theUnited States Department of Justice began looking into ways to limit the ability of transgender people to own firearms.[75][76]
ArchbishopBernard Hebda of theArchdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis addressed reporters and released a statement asking for "continued prayers" for the parish and school and saying, "My heart is broken... We need an end to gun violence."[77] Hebda later said that prayers from around the country and a message fromPope Leo XIV had been "a source of hope".[78] TheUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops vice-president, Archbishop William E. Lori, said, "Let us all beg the Lord for the protection and healing of the entire Annunciation family."[79]
Auxiliary bishopKevin Kenney met families at Hennepin County Medical Center and told local media "it shouldn't be happening" as clergy offered prayers and support.[80]
Before a game atRogers Centre inToronto, theToronto Blue Jays andMinnesota Twins observed a moment of silence for the victims, with "Annunciation Church" displayed on the stadium video board.[81]
Minnesota United FC fans held a moment of silence for the victims during their game against thePortland Timbers and held tifos displaying the names of the two children killed as well as a message calling for an end to gun violence before singing "You Are My Sunshine".[82]
TheMinnesota Vikings andChicago Bears honored the victims of the shooting during the warm ups prior to their game on September 8 wearing shirts that read "Annunciation" on the front and "Be Kind. Be Respectful. Be Inclusive. Be My Best Self. Be Brave." on the back.[83]
Influencers on the right had whatLe Monde described as a "unified reaction", in which they framed the shooting as being "trans terrorism" committed by the wider trans community in response to the Trump Administration's continuing crackdown against transgender rights.[68]
Elon Musk andBenny Johnson shared postsfalsely alleging a pattern regarding violence and trans identity, despite data showing only 0.11% (5 out of ≈5,700) of mass shooting suspects over the previous decade were transgender.[67][84]Matt Walsh was quoted as saying "We've defeated them politically. We've defeated them culturally. But understand this: now is precisely the moment when trans militants are the MOST dangerous."Chloe Cole alleged that the shooting could be a natural result of society supporting transgender people in their identities.[46]
Donald Trump Jr. blamed transgender healthcare for the shooting, and said that "there is no more violent group in the world per capita that the radicle [sic] trans community". Trump Jr. also reiterated the falsehood that three other shootings — the2022 Uvalde school shooting,2024 Perry High School shooting, and2024 Apalachee High School shooting — were perpetrated by trans individuals.[85]
Everytown, Moms Demand Action, and Students Demand Action released a joint statement from their organizations with offices in Minnesota. Everytown presidentJohn Feinblatt said, "All signs point to this tragedy being perpetrated by an assault weapon... How many more Americans must die before lawmakers ban these weapons of war?" Moms Demand Action executive directorAngela Ferrell-Zabala said, "Our places of education and worship should be places of refuge, not battlefields."[86] A local news roundup quoted a Minnesota Moms Demand Action volunteer calling for change.[87]
The national gun violence prevention groupGIFFORDS released a statement through founderGabby Giffords, who said she was "devastated" by the attack and urged lawmakers to act: "No one should have to fear for their lives when attending religious services... There are solutions that legislators should act on now to prevent another tragic day like today."[88]Sandy Hook Promise co-founder Nicole Hockley said, "Our children deserve more than moments of silence, thoughts and prayers. They deserve action," while co-founder Mark Barden emphasized recognizing warning signs to prevent violence.[89]
TheAmerican Federation of Teachers issued a statement from presidentRandi Weingarten and Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence's Abbey Clements: "We have a moral responsibility to protect our children... Schools should be safe havens... not places for them to be traumatized or have their lives cut short by gun violence."[90]
Gun-control activist andParkland high school shooting survivorDavid Hogg said onCNN that Congress should increaseCDC andNational Institutes of Health funding to study gun violence and argued such funding could pass via budget reconciliation. He criticized Trump's post-Parkland record, saying, "you are a coward, sir… you have the power to end this, but you are not going to because you're a damn coward."[91]
The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, a non-profit formed after the 2022 Uvalde school shooting,[92] announced they were beginning an initiative to raise funds for the families of the victims in the shootings in Minneapolis.[93]
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