Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting Leaves 2 Children Dead, 17 Injured

USA, August 28, 2025: Two children, aged eight and ten, were killed and 17 others injured in a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, on August 27. Fourteen of the injured are children, and authorities confirmed they are all expected to survive.

Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated that the children were shot while seated in the pews during Mass at the adjoining church.

The attacker, identified as Robin Westman, 23, from suburban Minneapolis, was armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol. He fired through the church windows before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators said the weapons had been legally purchased and confirmed Westman had no prior criminal record.

The FBI is treating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics. Officers are also reviewing videos believed to have been posted online by the gunman.

The incident occurred just three days after pupils had returned to school. In response, President Donald Trump ordered US flags at the White House and all public buildings to be flown at half-mast until sunset as a mark of respect for the victims.

Source: BBC