Community in Mourning After Minneapolis Church Shooting Leaves 2 Dead, 17 Injured

(KNSI) — Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis remains a crime scene this morning as police are still trying to piece together the motive behind a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis on Wednesday, just as mass was starting to mark the school year.

The 23-year-old suspect, Robin Westman, opened fire, killing two students – ages eight and ten – where they sat and injuring 17 others, 14 of whom are kids.

One fifth grader recounted for reporters what happened, saying they had never practiced an active shooter drill at church, only at the school, and they didn’t know what to do. Some of the kids ran, others hid under the pews while Westman shot through the stained glass windows. His best friend was shot in the attack, but is expected to survive. Another friend, however, sacrificed himself to save others. “My friend was laying on top of me, making sure I was safe, and he got hit, so that was very brave of him.”

The boy, still dazed at the time of the interview, suffered a minor injury being hit in the neck with shrapnel.

At a news conference, Police Chief Brian O’Hara says the three guns the suspect had with them at the time of the attack were legally purchased, and investigators say they believe Westman acted alone, but allegedly had a stockpile of weapons elsewhere.

Four search warrants were executed on Wednesday afternoon, including one for the church, and three others for homes nearby that were connected to Westman, where guns were removed.

O’Hara concluded by saying, “We know this community is reeling and is in pain. I want to ensure everyone in our community, this parish, all of the families affected and all of our residents, that all of law enforcement, collectively, local law enforcement, our county, our state, and all of our federal law enforcement partners have been here, and we are all working tirelessly to uncover the full scope of what happened, to try and identify a motive, why it happened, and whether there are any other further details.”

The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime against Catholics.

Bishop Patrick Neary of the Diocese of Saint Cloud is offering words of comfort. In a letter, His Excellency said, “Our hearts are shattered by the horrific act of violence, adding that he grieves with the families, students, and parishioners, and prays for healing.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis shared a statement from Pope Leo XIV, which came from Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who is the Secretary of State.

“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 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 clergy who are caring for them and their loved ones at this extremely difficult time. The Holy Father imparts to the Annunciation Catholic school community the Archdiocese of St. 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.”

Pope Leo did his hospital training in Minneapolis, so he is familiar with the community.

The state’s pro sports teams are offering support to those affected by Wednesday’s shooting. The Vikings, Timberwolves, and Lynx all issued statements expressing sorrow and condolences. At the Minnesota Twins game last night in Toronto, they held a moment of silence for the victims and their families. The team posted on their X account their gratitude for the support of the Blue Jays organization and their fans, saying, “This is bigger than baseball.”

A vigil was held at the Academy of Holy Angels on Wednesday night. The gymnasium, with a capacity of 1,500 people, was full just 30 minutes after the doors opened. Hundreds remained outside to pray and offer comfort to mourners in the crowd.

Candles, stuffed animals, flowers and a wreath from Uvalde, Texas, which was the site of a horrific school shooting in 2022 at Robb Elementary School, lined the sidewalk outside of Annunciation Thursday morning.

Governor Tim Walz has ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff until further notice.

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