UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2, 2025: The number of children injured in last week’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School has increased to 18 from 15. The total number of people injured is now 21, including three adults in their 80s, reports ABC News.
The two children killed in the shooting have been identified as 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. Three children and one adult are still in the hospital, receiving treatment for their injuries.
Although other schools in Minneapolis have started their fall semesters, Annunciation Catholic School remains closed.
UPDATED AUGUST 28, 2025, 3:34 p.m. Eastern:
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on the south side of Minneapolis has left two children dead and 18 others injured, including 15 children — one as young as 6. The number of injured rose from 17 to 18 on Thursday. The incident took place during the school’s morning mass on Wednesday.
Annunciation Catholic School Shooting Details
Police responded to the scene at approximately 8:27 a.m. after neighbors reported hearing a significant amount of gunfire, reports Fox9. Authorities have confirmed that the gunman, a man dressed in black, acted alone. He was later found dead behind the church from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Initial investigations reveal that the gunman did not have an extensive criminal history. He has been identified by police as Robin Westman, 23.
The two young victims who died, ages 8 and 10, were shot while sitting in pews inside the church. Authorities believe most of the shooting occurred from outside the building, as indicated by the lack of shell casings found inside. The shooter reportedly was in the parking lot and shot through the stained-glass windows at people sitting in the pews.
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The injured victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment. All of the injured students are expected to survive.
Locked Doors Saved Lives
Authorities now say that the church doors being locked during mass “likely saved countless lives” during the attack. Locking doors during mass is a regular procedure at the school, reports Today.
Despite earlier reports that there were explosives at the scene, police confirmed there were no explosives or improvised devices, reports CNN. The firearms used in the attack were recently purchased legally, reports CBS News.
The swift response from law enforcement and the evacuation of the school ensured that further tragedy was averted. Families of the students were directed to a reunification zone established at the school.
Founded in 1923, Annunciation Catholic School has an enrollment of 391 students for the current school year, with a structured class size of about 20 students per grade, reports the Associated Press. This shooting happened in the first week as students returned from summer vacation.
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Neighbors and eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with gunfire echoing through the neighborhood.
Police Investigate Active Shooter’s Motive
Authorities are continuing their investigation to understand the motive behind the shooting. NBC News is reporting that the shooter on Wednesday morning had posted videos online with writings referring to suicide, violent thoughts, an apology to their family, and a sketch of the interior of a church. It hasn’t been determined if the sketch is of the church involved in the mass shooting. Investigators are also reviewing a “manifesto” that the shooter posted online. The information has been taken down off the Internet. Police say the shooter was obsessed with past mass shootings and hated a wide range of people and groups.
The shooter visited the church a few weeks before the attack, reportedly to conduct surveillance of the facility.
KARE is reporting the gunman’s mother previously worked at Annunciation Catholic School. The source also reported that in 2020 Westman applied to change his name to Robin from his birth name Robert. The shooter was previously a student at the school and graduated in 2017, reports CNN.
Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward to assist in the ongoing inquiries. It is being investigated as a hate crime against Catholics and as an act of terrorism.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
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