A shooter opened fire during morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, killing at least two children and injuring over a dozen others.
According to ABC News, authorities have reported that the shooter took his own life and there is “no active threat to the community.”
The shooter was identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, formerly known as Robert Westman, who grew up in Richfield. According to KARE 11, law enforcement sources say Westman’s mother worked at Annunciation School.
At a press conference Wednesday, Minneapolis’ police Chief Brian O’Hara shared that two children ages 8 and 10 were killed in the shooting, per Reuters. There were 17 others injured, 14 of whom are children.
“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping. The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” O’Hara said, per CNN.
Police responded to the shooting just before 8:30 a.m. CDT, O’Hara told reporters.
“During the Mass, a gunman approached on the outside on the side of the building and began firing a rifle through the church windows towards the children sitting in the pews at the Mass, shooting through the windows. He struck children and worshipers that were inside the building,” he added, per Reuters.
The school started the year on Monday, and serves students from pre-K to eighth grade.
“There are no words that can capture the horror and evil of this unspeakable act,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey at the press conference, per Reuters. “Children are dead. Their families that have a deceased child. You cannot put into words the gravity, the tragedy or the absolute pain of this situation.”
Footage from the scene showed young children dressed in school uniforms being led away from the school by their parents, per Fox News.
According to CNN, one man who lived near the school reported hearing gunfire that lasted for several minutes.
State authorities are at the scene as well as agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
What we know about the shooter
Westman was carrying a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, and police have confirmed the weapons were purchased legally and recently, per CNN.
O’Hara said they believe Westman fired all three weapons. Authorities are looking through information in order to determine a motive.
Ahead of the shooting, an account linked to Westman posted a video on YouTube, depicting a manifesto-style document; authorities are translating parts of the manifesto from Russian to English, per KARE 11.
Also in a YouTube video reportedly posted by Westman, a gun was seen with anti-Trump, anti-Israel and anti-Jewish messages written on it, per New York Post.
The police chief said they do not know if he was a former employee or student of the school, per Reuters.
Despite reports of explosives being at the scene of the shooting, O’Hara said that none were found, but added that there was a “sort of firework,” which he compared to a smoke bomb, per CNN.
According to CNN, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the shooting is being investigated as “an act of domestic terrorism and hate crimes targeting Catholics.”
What leaders have said about the shooting
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz wrote about the shooting on X, saying: “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.”
In a post on Truth Social Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump wrote that he has been “fully briefed on the tragic shooting.”
“The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” he wrote.
Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram of condolences to the school, calling it a “terrible tragedy” and adding that he was praying for the relatives of the deceased and injured “at this extremely difficult time,” per The Associated Press.
Leo, the first American pope, sent his condolences “to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child.”
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted about the shooting on X, sharing her condolences.
“My prayers are with everyone involved in this tragedy. Our team will provide updates as we receive them,” Bondi wrote.
The principal of the Annunciation school, Matthew DeBoer, spoke in honor of the children who were killed in Wednesday’s shooting.
“We lost two angels today,” he said, per CNN. “Please continue to pray for those still receiving care.”
In a message to school students, staff and families he add, “I love you. You’re so brave, and I’m so sorry this happened to us today.”
DeBoer also spoke on the actions of the school’s teachers, describing them as “heroes.”
President Trump orders flags at half-staff
On Wednesday afternoon, the White House released a statement on X saying that Trump has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff.
“President Donald J. Trump orders all flags of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on August 27 in Minneapolis, Minnesota,” the statement said.
Walz also ordered that all Minnesota state and U.S. flags be flown at half-staff in honor of those lost in the shooting, per CNN. He added that guidance on when to raise flags will be given “at a later date.”
“Minnesota is heartbroken by the senseless shooting that took place this morning,” Walz said in a proclamation Wednesday, per CNN. “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence. To the officers and first responders, the clergy and teachers providing comfort, and the hospital staff saving lives – thank you. We will get through this together.”