Minneapolis school shooting: two children killed, 17 injured; community mourns as investigation probes gunman’s online posts and note

The first week back to school in Minneapolis was shattered on Wednesday when a shooter opened fire outside Annunciation Catholic Church, where a school Mass was underway. Two children were killed and 17 people were injured in the attack, which police say was carried out by 23-year-old Robin Westman. Authorities said Westman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after the rampage.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as shots pierced stained-glass windows and people scrambled for cover. Police said the gunfire was directed into the building from outside; doors to parts of the church complex had been reinforced with wooden planks, but rounds still penetrated glass and entry points. Responding officers arrived within minutes and secured the area, later telling residents there was no continuing threat.

‘Mass casualty’ response at hospital

Hennepin Healthcare declared a mass-casualty incident as ambulances began arriving. Dr. Thomas Wyatt, speaking outside the hospital, said seven patients reached the emergency department in critical condition, and four required immediate surgery. Of the 11 treated there, nine were children between 6 and 14 years old. Additional patients with less severe injuries were treated at other facilities or released to families after evaluation.

Clinicians described a swift pivot to disaster protocols: extra operating rooms were opened, pediatric teams were called in, and blood banks coordinated supply. Chaplains and social workers set up a family reunification area as parents converged, searching for loved ones.

Suspect identified; prior connection to school

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara identified the suspect as Robin Westman, 23, noting that Westman had previously attended the school for at least a year and had been seen near the campus in the days before classes resumed. According to police, Westman’s mother worked at the school until retiring in 2021.

Court records reviewed by investigators show that at age 17, Westman petitioned to change their name in 2020 and stated an intention to align legal documents with a female identity. Police emphasized that the inquiry is focused on actions and potential motives tied to the crime, and that they have not established any single factor as causal.

Officials said Westman had no prior criminal history. Detectives are tracing the origins of the firearms and ammunition recovered, interviewing acquaintances, and analyzing electronic devices to understand planning and intent.

Hours-old online videos and a handwritten note

Chief O’Hara said that only hours before the attack, Westman uploaded multiple videos to YouTube, including a recording that displayed firearms and what appeared to be a four-page letter addressed to family and friends. The clip, which was removed by the platform, included portions of text written in English using the Russian Cyrillic alphabet—a technique investigators believe was intended to evade automated moderation.

The letter opened with an apology and disavowal of forgiveness, and went on to describe mental-health struggles, an obsession with violence and prior school shootings, and a belief—apparently self-diagnosed—of having vaping-related lung cancer. “I don’t want the rest of my life to be as a cancer patient,” the note said in part, before concluding with a plea to “pray for the victims and their families.”

Police cautioned that while such writings can be probative, they do not excuse criminal acts and must be weighed alongside verifiable evidence. “We are working to determine what is genuine, what is performative, and what may have been intended to mislead,” an investigator said.

Classes suspended; security review underway

Annunciation Catholic School canceled classes for the remainder of the week and opened its gym as a counseling and prayer space. Clergy and grief counselors met with students, staff, and families, while school leaders coordinated with law enforcement on a security review. Nearby parishes held evening vigils; candles and handwritten notes piled up along the church’s side entrance where the first rounds were reported.

City officials said they will assess physical security measures at school-adjacent worship spaces, including glazing on windows, controlled entry, and communication protocols with local police. Minneapolis Public Schools and area Catholic schools announced that mental-health teams would be available districtwide for students affected by the news.

Community grief and unanswered questions

Parents described a wrenching scramble to locate their children amid alerts and road closures. “It was the first week—they were excited for Mass and to see their friends,” one mother said, her voice breaking. “Now my son is afraid to walk into a church.”

Neighbors who heard the gunfire recalled moments of disbelief before they recognized the sounds and dialed 911. “We practice drills, but nothing prepares you for the real thing,” a staff member said.

Investigators are working to establish a timeline from Westman’s final uploads to the arrival at the church, including any interactions that morning and the route taken. Forensic teams processed the scene into the night, collecting shell casings and documenting bullet paths through windows and doors.