Minnesota school shooting gunman kills 2 children, injures 17 others during Catholic Mass
A shooting was reported Wednesday at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Police confirm 17 injured, two children dead. The suspect took his own life in the rear of the church.
Coverage for this event has ended.
All 14 injured students expected to survive, chief says
All 14 students who were injured during Wedesday's barrage of gunfire inside the Minneapolis church are expected to survive, authorities said.
“I believe all of them have their parents with them now. And they are all expected to survive all of the remaining victims are expected to survive,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara told reporters.
Police said 14 children, ages ranging from 6 to 15, were injured, as well as three adults who were parishioners in their 80s, officials said.
Melania Trump urges early-warning systems in schools following Minnesota school shooting
Melania Trump called for the U.S. to start focusing on early-warning systems following the tragic mass shooting Wednesday at a Catholic school in Minnesota.
The first lady says that too often clear signals of violent behavior are evident but overlooked.
“The tragic mass killing in Minnesota illuminates the need for pre-emptive intervention in identifying potential school shooters. Early warning signs are often evident, with many individuals exhibiting concerning behaviors and making violent threats online prior to their actions,” her post said.
She also urged a nationwide push for behavioral threat assessments.
“To prevent future tragedies, it is crucial we look into behavioral threat assessments across all levels of society — beginning in our homes, extending through school districts and of course, social media platforms. Being aware of these warning signs and acting quickly can save lives and make American communities safer.”
The shooting in Minnesota has sparked debates regarding school safety and what bystanders can do to spot the red flags in advance.
It was noted by Minneapolis Police that 23-year-old Robin Westman the shooter had made troubling messages on social media leading up to the attack.
Trump’s comments echo the theme she championed as the first lady, the “Be Best” initiative, which focused in part on online behavior and children’s mental health.
MSNBC's Jen Psaki turns church school shooting into attack on prayer, Trump's DC crime crackdown
Former Biden administration spokeswoman and current MSNBC host Jen Psaki blasted President Donald Trump’s D.C. anti-crime crackdown and the power of prayer as she reacted to a church school shooting in Minnesota Wednesday.
Authorities said at least two children were killed and more than a dozen were injured after a gunman opened fire during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.
In the aftermath of mass shootings, Americans often offer prayers for victims, their families and communities. In Catholic and Orthodox traditions, prayers for the dead ask that their souls be received into heaven.
But many gun control advocates deride prayer, arguing that it is not enough and government action must be taken to stop mass shootings. Psaki echoed that view in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Read more about what Psaki said about the shooting in Minnesota.
This is an excerpt from a story by Fox News Digital’s Alexander Hall and Alexa Moutevelis.
Pope Leo offers condolences and expresses grief in wake of shooting
Pope Leo XIV offered his condolences in the hours following Wednesday's shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church.
A message from the Cardinal Secretary of State was read during a Wednesday night vigil expressing Leo's thoughts on the shooting.
"His Holiness Pope Leo the 14th was profoundly saddened to learn of the loss of life and injuries following the shooting that took place at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, and he sends his heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child,” said the message, which was read by Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda.
“While commending the souls of the deceased children to the love of Almighty God, his holiness prays for the wounded as well as the first responders medical personnel and wounded as well, and the clergy who are caring for them and their loved ones at this extremely difficult time," he added.
“His Apostolic blessing as a pledge of peace, fortitude and consolation in the Lord Jesus. My prayer for you, my brothers and sisters, is that you might experience that peace, that fortitude, and that consolation that Pope Leo desires for each one of us," the message continued.
Governors Youngkin, Kemp condemn Minneapolis school shooting
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp joined leaders across the country by condemning the deadly shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
Youngkin ordered flags lowered to half-staff to honor the lives lost in the tragic incident.
“Our hearts break for the victims of today’s horrific violence in Minneapolis. I’ve ordered flags across Virginia lowered to half-staff in honor of the innocent lives senselessly taken,” Youngkin said in a post on X. “Suzanne and I are praying for the children lost, the families forever changed, the injured, and the entire Annunciation Catholic School community.”
Kemp also weighed in on X, calling the attack on children and a place of worship “horrendous,” while offering prayers for victims, families, and first responders.
“Today, along with all Americans, Marty, the girls, and I are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragedy in Minneapolis,” he wrote. “Any attack on a place of worship and on innocent children who are there to learn is horrendous, and the victims, students, teachers, their families, and all the first responders are in our prayers.”
Former VP Harris urges action after gun violence strikes Minneapolis Catholic school
Former Vice President Kamala Harris strongly condemned the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, saying the first week of classes were “marred” by senseless violence.
Harris weighed in on the shooting in a post on X.
“The beginning of a new school year should be filled with excitement and anticipation. But today, it was marred by yet another act of senseless gun violence,” she wrote. “The students, teachers, and community of Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis now share a traumatic experience that has affected far too many Americans.
“I spoke with Governor Walz this afternoon to share Doug and my grief for the families impacted and our gratitude for the first responders and law enforcement on the scene,” Harris continued. “Mayor Jacob Frey said it clearly: ‘Don't just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying.
“We know the solutions. Our leaders must have the courage to act to stop these tragedies,” she concluded.
Court documents reveal shooter in Minneapolis had name changed to reflect female ID
The shooter who opened fire at a Catholic school Mass in Minneapolis on Wednesday, killing two children and injuring 17 others, had an official name change in 2019, according to court records.
The shooter has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, but according to court documents, Westman changed their name from Robert to Robin in 2019.
The court documents show the shooter’s mother applied for the name change and wrote, “minor child identifies as female and wants her name to reflect the identification.”
Local police said earlier in the day they were aware of a manifesto that the shooter had timed to be released on YouTube, though the video has been taken down and is now under investigation.
The manifesto, police added, appeared to show Westman at the scene and included disturbing writings.
House lawmakers, Catholic group express grief after church shooting
U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., the chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, expressed grief with the victims of the shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, saying the panel was in contact with the Department of Homeland Security as the investigation continues.
“My prayers are with the people of Minneapolis, the Annunciation parish community, the innocent lives lost, and all those injured in this horrific and unacceptable act of violence at a house of worship," Garbarino said in a statement. “No American should ever face violence for their faith or beliefs. The Committee remains in close contact with the Department of Homeland Security as law enforcement continues to investigate the perpetrator’s motives and assess any ongoing threats.”
Garbarino added that authorities must "hold this evil to account by ensuring all levels of law enforcement and government can work together to prevent further violence against faith-based communities across our country.”
In another statement, Dr. Steven F. Cheeseman, the president of the National Catholic Educational Association, said the Catholic community was grieving alongside the school.
“We pray for God’s consolation and healing for all who are suffering and for the entire Body of Christ,” a quoted posted on X by Cheeseman states.
“As an educator and a parent, my heart breaks for the tragic harm and loss of lives today in Minneapolis,” he wrote.
Minneapolis police confirm shooter had manifesto with disturbing writings under review
Minneapolis police have confirmed the shooter who opened fire and killed two children while injuring 17 others from a Catholic school attending Mass at a nearby church had a manifesto, though the details about the video timed to be released on YouTube are sparse.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the manifesto appeared to show the shooter at the scene as well as “some disturbing writings.”
“That content has since been taken down with the assistance of the FBI, and it now remains under active review by our investigators,” the chief said.
When asked about the shooter’s relationship to the church or school, as well as a motive, O’Hara said he did not have any information to share.
“I have no information to share on a motive other than saying, again, that there was some sort of manifesto that was timed to come out on YouTube,” he said. “It’s been taken down and our investigators are going through that to try and develop a motive from that.”
He added that search warrants are being executed at three different residential locations, as well, to hopefully find more information and give investigators more insight into a motive.
Victims in Minnesota lawmaker shootings remark on deadly church event
John and Yvette Hoffman, who were shot by a gunman in June amid shootings targeting state lawmakers, along with their daughter, Hope Hoffman, condemned Wednesday's deadly event.
“Sen. John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman and Hope Hoffman today send all the love and support to the Annunciation Catholic School and Church community and the entire state of Minnesota,” the family said in a statement. "We are all impacted by these mindless acts of violence and senseless attacks."
“The evil actions of an individual can impact the lives of so many, the victims and our community,” the statement continued.
"Our family understands this firsthand and calls on our State and the nation to find more grace, and peace in our daily lives. We will hold these families in our hearts and prayers forever."
John and Yvette Hoffman were shot in June. Vance Boelter, who is also charged with stalking and murdering former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home in Minneapolis in June.
Texas to lower flags to mourn victims in Minneapolis shooting
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he will order flags in his state be lowered to mourn the victims in Wednesday's shooting in Minneapolis.
“Today’s attack at a Catholic school in Minnesota is horrific and heartbreaking," he wrote on X. "Cecilia and I are lifting up in prayer the families who lost innocent children, those injured, and the entire community as they face this tragedy.”
He further stated that he would honor a request by President Donald Trump request to lower all flags in other states and U.S. territories.
Walz says 'no words' for school shooting as Trump calls with federal condolences and support
Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., said there are no words when it comes to “unspeakable tragedies” like the shooting at Annunciation Church and School on Wednesday.
Walz spoke during a press conference, telling reporters beautiful children were going school committed to academics, service and Catholic values for the first days of school, but instead they were met with evil, horror and death.
“We often come to these and say these unspeakable tragedies…there’s no words for this,” he said. “There shouldn’t be words for these types of incidents because they should not happen, and there’s no words that are going to ease the pain of the families.”
Walz offered his deepest sympathies to the families on behalf of the people of Minnesota.
He continued, saying he spoke with federal partners, including President Donald Trump, who called the governor to offer his deep condolences and to provide the support the people of Minnesota need.
But Walz also stressed that Minnesotans will not step away when the cameras from news crews pack up and leave.
“We’ll stand with this community,” he said, adding that they will do whatever possible to understand what can be done to prevent shootings at schools.
Witness describes 'terrible scene' after Minneapolis shooting
A man who lives near the Minneapolis church rushed to the building after the shooting where he saw a “terrible” scene.
Pat Scallen said he lives near the church and got to the church after the shots were fired. He went to the front and comforted two girls who appeared seriously hurt and a boy.
“I kind of hung with them until the EMTS came because they were obviously very distressed and I was worried about their physical condition,” he said during an appearance on "The Story with Martha MacCallum." “It was a terrible scene.”
“They asked for their mom and I reassured them and gave them comfort,” he added.
Scallen, who attended the school, as well as his children and father, noted that many of the people who witnessed Wednesday's deadly shooting will live with the trauma.
“It will take a while to heal and this will never go away for the people that were there and they'll always live with it,” he said.
Biden says he and former first lady ‘heartbroken’ over Minnesota shooting
Former President Joe Biden, who was raised Catholic, said he and former first lady Jill Biden were “heartbroken” over the deadly shooting.
“There are simply no words to adequately mark such a horrific and painful moment," he wrote on X. "With all our hearts, we are praying for the victims, their families, and the community of Minneapolis.”
Man named in Minneapolis mass shooter’s disturbing video speaks out
The man named in a disturbing video allegedly made by the prime suspect in Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Catholic church and school is speaking out and condemning the shooter’s "hateful and senseless act."
Brandon Herrera, a Second Amendment activist, YouTuber and Texas Republican congressional candidate, responded to being named in the shooter’s video in a statement emailed by his campaign to Fox News Digital.
Herrera said, "I'm horrified by this clearly hate-motivated attack on innocent children and disgusted that my name came out of this demon's mouth."
Herrera went on to say, "I meet thousands of people every year at SHOT Show in Las Vegas, but I don’t remember this individual at all, nor does anyone I was there with."
Read more about Herrera’s reaction to the video.
This is an excerpt from a story by Fox News Digital’s Peter Pinedo.
Police say ‘coward’ who opened fire at Minneapolis school, had no prior history
Minneapolis, Minnesota Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Wednesday that the “coward” who opened fire during a Catholic school mass had no prior history and legally purchased the guns used in the tragic incident.
“The coward that shot these victims took his own life in the rear of the church. That coward has been identified as 23 year old Robin Westman,” the chief said, adding that he had no prior criminal history.
He also said a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol used by Westman had been lawfully purchased by the shooter.
O’Hara noted that the shooter purchased the guns recently, but did not provide a timeframe.
While speaking with reporters, O’Hara said there is no indication of any other suspects being directly involved in carrying out the attack.
“Our investigators are working with other agencies, [and are] in the process of executing four search warrants. One is for the church itself where this crime occurred,” O’Hara said. “The other three are residences nearby in the metro that are related to this shooter. Additional firearms are being recovered from those three residential locations as we speak.”
Noem unleashes on 'deranged monster' who carried out church shooting
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blasted the shooter who killed two children and injured 17 individuals at Annunciation church on Wednesday morning.
"This deranged monster targeted our most vulnerable: young children praying in their first morning Mass of the school year. This deeply sick murderer scrawled the words ‘For the Children’ and ‘Where is your God?’ and ‘Kill Donald Trump’ on a rifle magazine. This level of violence is unthinkable," Noem wrote on X.
FBI probes Minneapolis Catholic school shooting as domestic terrorism, hate crime
FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI is investigating the shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school mass as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime in a post on X.
“The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics,” Patel wrote. “There were 2 fatalities, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old. In addition, 14 children and 3 adults were injured.
“The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman,” he continued. “The FBI will continue to provide updates on our ongoing investigation with the public as we are able.”
Pope Leo XIV sends condolences to Minneapolis Archbishop Hebda after fatal shooting
Pope Leo XIV sent his condolences to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis after the deadly shooting at Annunciation church during a Mass with school students.
A telegram to Hebda sent in the name of Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin read:
"At this extremely difficult time, the Holy Father imparts to the Annunciation Catholic School Community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the people of the greater twin cities metropolitan area his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace, fortitude and consolation in the Lord Jesus."
Student describes 'very scary' shooting at Minneapolis Catholic church
A student from the Annunciation Catholic School who was in Mass as the shooting occurred described the "very scary" ordeal. He said that the group entered the church minutes before the shooting began.
"It was super scary because, like we've never practiced it in the church. We've only practiced it the main school. So we really didn't know what to do. We just got into the pews and he shot through the stained glass windows," a 10-year-old student said, referring to shooting drills.
He also shared that he had two friends who were hit. One of whom said he was on top of him to make sure he was safe.
The young student said that the shooter fired though the stained glass windows.