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By Hannah Parry, Hollie Silverman, Gabe Whisnant, Anna Commander, and Sonam Sheth
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The Annunciation Catholic School shooting suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman.
Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene after opening fire during Mass at around 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said during a press conference.
Two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed, and 17 people were injured.
What To Know
- Westman's mother served as a parish secretary at the school and church until her retirement in 2021, according to local media.
- Court records show that Westman, who lived in Richfield, Minnesota, applied to change their name from Robert to Robin in 2020, aged 17. The documents state that Westman "identifies as female and wants her name to reflect that identification."
- Police said that Westman shared a manifesto on YouTube that was scheduled to be published at the same time as the mass shooting.
- "This manifesto appeared to show him at the scene and included some disturbing writings," O'Hara said. "That content has since been taken down with the assistance of the FBI, and it now remains under active review by our investigators."
- FBI director Kash Patel said the agency is investigating the mass shooting "as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics."
- Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram of condolences Wednesday after the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, calling it a "terrible tragedy."
- Annunciation Catholic School has 370 students, from kindergarten to eighth grade.
Newsweek's live blog is closed.
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Aug 27, 2025 at 09:26 PM EDT
Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican candidate for governor and current congressman, said on X that the school shooting in Minnesota is not a tragedy resulting from guns, but from mental health issues.
"This tragedy was NOT ABOUT GUNS. This tragedy was ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH. For years, the left has promoted radical gender ideology, ignored glaring mental health issues & spewed hateful rhetoric," Donalds said. "This is the insanity that's come from their movement. They must reexamine everything."
Donalds also posted a video from his interview today with Fox News' Laura Ingraham.
Aug 27, 2025 at 08:48 PM EDT
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, told CNN's Anderson Cooper that the stories coming out of the school shooting on Wednesday are "the most horrific things."
Klobuchar then recounted a seventh- or eighth-grade girl allegedly witnessing two of her friends get shot in the neck and stomach. The Minnesota lawmaker said the girl then ran out of the church and ultimately alerted her friend's father that his child had been shot. Cooper first noted that a daughter of one of her former employees was in the church at the time of the shooting.
"I think one of the most extraordinary things that's going to come out of this, Anderson, is a heroic act of the school staff, of the church staff, of the kids, some of the older kids protecting the little kids," Klobuchar said, while acknowledging a collective mourning for the two children killed and those injured.
Aug 27, 2025 at 08:18 PM EDT
Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis called on FBI Director Kash Patel to make public which social media apps were used by the school shooting suspect.
"Make it all public. (If Big Tech played a role, they should be held liable.)," the Republican lawmaker concluded in his post on X.
Aug 27, 2025 at 07:49 PM EDT
Rep. Ilhan Omar criticizes officials for “appeasing the gun lobby” over “keeping our children safe”
Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, one of the most progressive members of Congress, issued a lengthy statement responding to Wednesday's mass shooting.
"While we do not yet know the shooter's specific motivations, we do know that children and schools are all too often the victims of horrific violence in this country," Omar said in a press release. "We cannot continue to fail our kids with the lack of federal action. It is beyond despicable that elected leaders are more concerned with appeasing the gun lobby than keeping our children safe. The horror that children and educators went through today, while they were praying, should not have happened. I am committed to do everything I can to stop these tragedies from occurring ever again."
The Democratic lawmaker added: "I will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates. Today our country failed our kids and I will not allow elected leaders to move on or forget this horror."
Aug 27, 2025 at 06:36 PM EDT
California Governor Gavin Newsom calls out Republicans over the shooting, saying it is "sick" that students "cannot even make it through the first week of school without mass shootings."
Read more from Newsweek's Sonam Sheth on Newsom's reaction.
Aug 27, 2025 at 05:35 PM EDT
All victims expected to survive, police chief says
Police Chief O'Hara said in a news conference that all the victims are expected to survive.
O'Hara also noted that the students in the church, some responding officers and staff members are "deeply traumatized by what they saw."
Aug 27, 2025 at 05:24 PM EDT
Prominent MAGA personalities are reacting on social media to records showing that the Annunciation Catholic School shooting suspect applied for a name change due to gender identity.
According to Dakota County District Court records reviewed by Newsweek, 23-year-old Robin Westman was granted a name change in 2020 because the "minor child identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification."
Charlie Kirk, conservative Turning Point USA founder and CEO, posted on X on Wednesday, "If you are crazy enough to want to hormonally and surgically 'change your sex,' you have a mental disorder, and you are too crazy to own a firearm."
Read more on MAGA's reaction to the shooting by *Newsweek'*s Jenna Sundel.
Aug 27, 2025 at 04:52 PM EDT
How much is Annunciation Catholic school’s tuition?
Annunciation Catholic School charges $8,750 annually, for the 2025–2026 school year.
However, tuition charged to families is subsidized through parish support, endowments, fundraising, and donations, according to the school website.
This year's fee is a slight increase on the 2024–2025 school year's tuition cost of $8,500.
Aug 27, 2025 at 04:39 PM EDT
Who are Robin Westman’s parents? What to know
Robin Westman is the child of Mary Grace Westman, who served as a parish secretary at Annunciation Catholic School and Church until her retirement in 2021, according to local news reports.
Westman is the youngest of three siblings, and their parents divorced in 2013, the Washington Post reports. The family lived in Hastings, Minnesota, at the time of the divorce with court records showing all three children attended private school.
No additional public information is available about Westman's father.
Aug 27, 2025 at 04:33 PM EDT
Gunman bought weapons legally, and recently
Annunciation Catholic School shooting suspect Robin Westman bought the three weapons used in the deadly attack legally, and recently, police said.
Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O'Hara said officers had also recovered more weapons from searches conducted at three properties connected to Westman.
O'Hara said it was too early to determine the motive but that investigators were going through the video where the suspect shared a manifesto.
Aug 27, 2025 at 04:17 PM EDT
Annunciation School principal calls his teachers ‘heroes’
Annunciation School Principal Matt DeBoer praised his teachers as "heroes" for protecting their students during the mass shooting.
"Within seconds of this situation beginning, our teachers were heroes," he said.
"Children were ducked down. Adults were protecting children. Older children were protecting younger children. And as we heard earlier, it could have been significantly worse without their heroic action. This is a nightmare. But we call our staff the Dream Team.
"And we will recover from this. We will rebuild from this when we print plan for this school year."
Aug 27, 2025 at 04:12 PM EDT
Police are searching three properties connected to Westman
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said during a press conference that police were in the process of executing four search warrants in the wake of the mass shooting.
One of those was at Annunciation Catholic School, where the shooting took place, and the other three were at properties in the Minneapolis metro area, believed to be related to the shooter.
"Additional firearms are being recovered from those three residential locations as we speak," he added.
Aug 27, 2025 at 04:09 PM EDT
Annunciation shooting suspect manifesto: What we know
Annunciation Catholic School gunman suspect, Robin Westman, shared his manifesto on YouTube on Wednesday, police said.
The video was scheduled to be published on the video platform at the same time as the mass shooting, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said during a press conference.
"This manifesto appeared to show him at the scene and included some disturbing writings," he said.
"That content has since been taken down with the assistance of the FBI, and it now remains under active review by our investigators."
Aug 27, 2025 at 04:02 PM EDT
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey calls for actions, not just words on gun safety
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called for action, and not just words, on gun restrictions after yet another mass school shooting.
"We need to be doing more than talking. It can't just be words. There needs to be action," he said.
"And when we have seen school shooting, after school shooting. We have seen churches get shot up by horrible actors. I think the impetus has to be on all of us as leaders to do a whole lot more, to recognize that we've got more guns in this country than we have people, and it's on all of us to recognize the truth and the reality that we can't just say that this shouldn't happen again, and then allow it to happen again and again."
Aug 27, 2025 at 03:58 PM EDT
Minneapolis Mayor defends trans community
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey defended the trans community who he said was receiving "a whole lot of hate" after the shooter was revealed to be transgender.
"I have heard about a whole lot of hate that's being directed at our trans community," he said at the press conference.
"Anybody who is using this as an using this as an opportunity to villainize our trans community or any other community out there, has lost their sense of common humanity. We should not be operating out of a place of hate for anyone. We should be operating from a place of love for our kids," he added.
Aug 27, 2025 at 03:56 PM EDT
Gov. Tim Walz says school children were met with ‘evil and horror and death’ during shooting
Gov. Tim Walz says that school children were met with "evil and horror and death" during the mass shooting.
"There shouldn't be words for these types of incidents because they should not happen," he said. "And there's no words that are going to ease the pain of the families today. On behalf of all the people of Minnesota, our deepest sympathies.
Walz thanked all the emergency responders, police and federal law enforcement who responded to the incident, and said he'd also spoke to President Trump, attorney general and the vice president, who had all expressed "their deep condolences amongst the horror that happened in and offered to provide the support to the folks here in Minnesota of what's needed."
"We'll stand with this community. We'll redouble ourselves to do the best we can to understand what we can do to prevent any parent from happening, to receive the calls they received today from any school dedicated to children," he said.
"So I ask the rest of folks around the country who are watching, keep us in your thoughts and prayers, but also keep us in the thoughts for action. Keep us in the ideas that we can work together. And it's on these days like this, I think, and I hope we can hold on to it."
Aug 27, 2025 at 03:48 PM EDT
Shooting suspect identifies as female: Report
The mother of the Annunciation Catholic School shooting suspect applied to change their name, from Robert Westman to Robin in 2020 when they were 17 years old.
Westman "identifies as female and wants her name to reflect that identification," legal documents first obtained by the Star Tribune stated.
Aug 27, 2025 at 03:46 PM EDT
Gov Tim Walz speaks at second press conference
Gov Tim Walz is speaking at a second press conference, held in Minneapolis, after the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday,
Aug 27, 2025 at 03:39 PM EDT
Annunciation student describes how friend was shot
A 10-year-old fifth grader, Weston Halsne, told reporters in Minneapolis that his classmate, Victor, shielded him from gunfire during the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School.
"My friend Victor like, saved me though. 'Cause he laid on top of me. But he got hit," Halsne said. "I was super scared for him. But I think now he's ok."
"I hope you're okay and I'm praying for you," he said in a message to his friend.
The shooting, which occurred during a morning Mass at the school, killed two children and injured many others. The suspect, later identified as Robin Westman, took his own life, according to officials.
President Donald Trump has ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff through sunset on Sunday, August 31, to honor the victims of the Minneapolis school shooting.
Aug 27, 2025 at 03:35 PM EDT
FBI investigating mass shooting as ‘hate crime targeting Catholics’ and ‘domestic terrorism’
The FBI is investigating the mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school as a "hate crime," FBI director Kash Patel said on X.
Patel said that federal authorities were investigating the shooting "as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics."
He added that the shooter's identity had been conformed as Robin Westman.
"The FBI will continue to provide updates on our ongoing investigation with the public as we are able," he wrote.
Aug 27, 2025 at 03:05 PM EDT
Robin Westman’s Uncle, Former GOP Lawmaker Bob Heleringer, Responds to Shooting
Shooting suspect Robin Westman's uncle, former Kentucky state lawmaker Bob Heleringer, said he did not know the accused shooter well and was stunned by the violence: "It's an unspeakable tragedy."
"We're praying for my sister and her other children and also, obviously, for these poor, poor children," Heleringer told the Associated Press by phone.
He said he had last seen Westman at a family wedding three or four years ago.
Heleringer served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1980-2003.
Aug 27, 2025 at 02:46 PM EDT
Pope Leo XIV Reacts to Annunciation Catholic School Shooting
Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram of condolences Wednesday after the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, calling it a "terrible tragedy" and offering prayers for the victims' families. The Chicago-born pontiff, the first American pope, said he was "profoundly saddened" by the attack and prayed for the injured, first responders and the local Catholic community. The message, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was addressed to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul-Minneapolis.
In addition, Archbishop William E. Lori, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the church is mourning "with heartbreaking sadness" after the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. "Whenever one part of the Body of Christ is wounded, we feel the pain as if it were our very own children," Lori said in a statement. He urged prayers "for the protection and healing of the entire Annunciation family."
Aug 27, 2025 at 02:21 PM EDT
IN PICTURES: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey looks overwhelmed at shooting site
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Aug 27, 2025 at 02:21 PM EDT
Trump orders flags to be flown at half mast for Minneapolis victims
President Donald Trump has ordered flags at the White House, military and federal buildings and grounds to be flown at half mast in honor of the Minneapolis school shooting victims.
The flags will remain at half mast, "as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence," until August 31.
"I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations," Trump said.
Aug 27, 2025 at 02:13 PM EDT
IN PICTURES: Heartbreaking images show distraught parents, children after shooting
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Aug 27, 2025 at 01:55 PM EDT
‘Nowhere feels safe’ says fellow school shooting survivor
A fellow school shooting survivor said that mass shootings were the new reality for students in America.
"This is the reality we're growing up in. Nowhere feels safe," said Timberlyn Mazeikis, who survivor of a shooting at Michigan State University in 2023, and Students Demand Action volunteer from Minnesota.
"One week into the school year, colleges are under constant lockdown hoaxes while kids are being shot at school. Until we get weapons of war off our streets, students will keep getting shot and killed and this will continue to be our reality."
Aug 27, 2025 at 01:47 PM EDT
Annunciation Catholic School shooting suspect has been identified
The Annunciation Catholic School shooting suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman.
Westman's mother was an employee at the school, local news reports, citing law enforcement sources.
The shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene, police said.
Aug 27, 2025 at 01:29 PM EDT
Grandfather says 10-year-old grandson was hit by a bullet in the shooting
Michael Simpson said that his 10-year-old grandson was among those injured in the mass shooting at the Catholic school on Wednesday.
His grandson Weston Halsne was nicked by a bullet as he sat in the church pews, near the windows, Simpson told the Associated Press.
Simpson said he had been left so shaken by the shooting during Mass, at Annunciation Catholic School, he was left questioning if God was watching over them.
"I don't know where he is," Simpson said.
Aug 27, 2025 at 01:24 PM EDT
Diocese of Gaylord Bishop Walsh condemns shooting
The Diocese of Gaylord's Bishop Jeffrey Walsh said that he stands in solidarity with Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Bernard Hebda, after the mass shooting at a Catholic school in the city.
"We join in prayerful solidarity with our former bishop, Archbishop Hebda, at this tragic time of the Catholic school shooting in Minneapolis," Bishop Walsh said in a statement.
"We are all truly saddened at this senseless act of violence and ask God to send his consolation to all the victims, their families and the school community."
Aug 27, 2025 at 01:17 PM EDT
WATCH: Minneapolis school shooting leaves two children dead
Aug 27, 2025 at 01:12 PM EDT
Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis asks for prayers
Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis has asked its congregation to pray for the victims of the Annunciation Catholic School shooting.
"Please pray for all those affected by the shooting today at Annunciation in Minneapolis," they wrote.
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:57 PM EDT
How did the shooting suspect die?
The Annunciation Catholic School shooting suspect was found dead at the scene on Wednesday.
Police said they believe he died by suicide.
Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O'Hara during a Wednesday press conference, said that the gunman appears to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:54 PM EDT
What weapons did the Annunciation Catholic School shooting have?
The shooter, who has not yet been identified, came armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a handgun, Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O'Hara said on Wednesday.
He said that, despite local reports that the gunman had improvised explosives with him, law enforcement found no bombs on the scene.
Witnesses described hearing gunfire for several minutes during the deadly attack.
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:48 PM EDT
Police chief O’Hara’s voice broke as he described ‘sheer cruelty’ of attack
Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O'Hara appeared to choke back tears during the the press conference as he described the "sheer cruelty" of the deadly attack on children.
"The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible," O'Hara said, his voice breaking.
"This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshiping," he added.
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:41 PM EDT
WATCH: Minneapolis Mayor speak about mass shooting
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:40 PM EDT
Tom Emmer says he’s tracking mass shooting incident
Tom Emmer, GOP Majority Whip, said that he was "tracking the reports about a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis."
"Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and first responders on the scene," he added on X.
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:31 PM EDT
What to know about the victims in the Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis
Two young children, aged 8 and 10, were fatally shot while seated in the church pews during the morning Mass on Wednesday.
The gunman also died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
At least 17 people were injured, with 14 of those being children. Two children are reported to be in critical condition
Several injured victims were taken to hospitals, including Children's Minnesota and Hennepin County Medical Center.
The victims are part of the Annunciation School community, which serves pre-kindergarten through grade 8.
None of the victims have been identified.
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:26 PM EDT
Police say school mass shooting not related to series of fatal shootings in Minneapolis
Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O'Hara said that Wednesday's shooting at Annunciation Catholic School did not appear to be related to the latest in a series of fatal shootings in the city in less than 24 hours.
One person was killed and six others were hurt in a shooting Tuesday afternoon outside a high school in Minneapolis. Hours later, two people died in two other shootings in the city.
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:22 PM EDT
Rep. Ilhan Omar ‘praying for all the families impacted’
Rep. Ilhan Omar said she was "praying for all the families impacted" by the Annunciation Catholic School shooting.
"I am beyond heartbroken over the tragic news of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis," she wrote on X. "I am praying for all the families impacted by this horrific tragedy. I will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates."
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:21 PM EDT
Kristi Noem says she’s praying for victims
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement on Wednesday that she was praying for victims of the Annunciation Catholic School Shooting.
"DHS is monitoring the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis," she said on X.
"We are in communication with our interagency partners, and will share more information as soon as it becomes available. I am praying for the victims of this heinous attack and their families."
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:17 PM EDT
New gunman details released
Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O'Hara described the Annunciation Catholic School shooter as a man in his early 20s, who was wearing black and carrying three weapons.
O'Hara said that the suspect did not have a known criminal history and it his connection to the school was not clear.
Police are currently searching his vehicle, that was parked in the parking lot.
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:08 PM EDT
Gunman was outside, shooting in through church windows
Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O'Hara said that the gunman approached on the outside on the side of the building and began firing a rifle through the church windows towards the children.
Two children aged 8 and 10 were killed where they sat in the pews.
At least 17 other people injured, 14 of them children. Two remain in critical condition, he said, adding it was "cruelty beyond comprehension."
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM EDT
Motive not yet known
Minneapolis Police Department Chief Brian O'Hara said that a motive for the shooting has not yet been established, and it was not yet clear whether the gunman had previously been a student at the school or had a child at the school.
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:03 PM EDT
Major Frey says children were killed in the shooting
Minneapolis Mayor Frey said during a Wednesday morning press conference, that "children are dead" after the mass shooting.
"There are families that have a deceased child," he said. "Don't just say this is about thoughts and prayers..these kids were literally praying."
"These are the sort of basic assurances that every family should have. I'm so deeply saddened and I'm so sorry to the families that I know are suffering right now."
Aug 27, 2025 at 12:01 PM EDT
At least 15 children have been hospitalized
Children's Minnesota pediatric hospital has confirmed it is treating six children after the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School.
Another ten children are being treated at Hennepin County Medical Center.
"Children's Minnesota is aware of the recent tragic shooting in Minneapolis. Our teams are trained to respond in times of crisis, and are fully prepared to care for impacted children. Currently, six children are admitted to our hospital for care. We will not share more details to respect the privacy of our patients and families," the hospital said.
Aug 27, 2025 at 11:48 AM EDT
What to know about Wednesday’s Annunciation Catholic School shooting
Police, FBI agents, federal officials, and ambulances rushed to the school after the shooting began at 8.15 a.m.
A staff member answering the phone said students were being evacuated. Hennepin Healthcare, which runs Minnesota's largest emergency department, confirmed it was responding to an emergency and later said on social media it was treating patients from the shooting.
Founded in 1923, Annunciation serves between 325–350 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. According to the school's website, an all-school Mass was scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. Monday marked the first day of the academic year, with social media posts showing children in green uniforms smiling, greeting one another at bike racks, and posing for photos.
Annunciation Catholic School is located about 5 miles southwest from downtown Minneapolis, in the Windom neighborhood, near the border with Richfield. The campus sits at 509 W. 54th Street, close to Lyndale Avenue South. This area is a primarily residential part of the city, with tree-lined streets, single-family homes, and several other churches and schools nearby.
At a meeting elsewhere in Minneapolis, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin acknowledged the shooting, noting the "unknown amount of victims."
The attack was part of a string of violence across the city in less than 24 hours. On Tuesday afternoon, one person was killed and six others injured in a shooting outside a Minneapolis high school. Hours later, two more people were killed in separate shootings in the city.
Aug 27, 2025 at 11:43 AM EDT
Gun safety activist group condemns violence, ‘enough is enough’
Minnesota Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement fighting for gun safety measures, condemns another school year "defined by gun violence."
Kathleen Anderson, a volunteer with the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action told Newsweek, "While details are still unfolding, another school year has barely begun and already it's being defined by gun violence.
"Our places of education and worship should be places of refuge, not battlefields. We are praying for the Annunciation Catholic School community. Enough is enough."
Aug 27, 2025 at 11:39 AM EDT
What to know about Annunciation Catholic School
Founded in 1923, Annunciation serves between 325–350 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
Annunciation Catholic School is located in southwest Minneapolis, in the Windom neighborhood, near the border with Richfield.
The campus sits at 509 W. 54th Street, close to Lyndale Avenue South. This area is a primarily residential part of the city, with tree-lined streets, single-family homes, and several other churches and schools nearby.
Aug 27, 2025 at 11:38 AM EDT
Minneapolis Police confirm at least 20 injured in shooting
Minneapolis Police confirmed at least 20 people, including several students, were injured in the shooting.
"A man dressed in all black and armed with a rifle was reported at the scene. EMS has requested a Mass Casualty Response and fire crews are bringing in additional resources," police said in an alert.
Aug 27, 2025 at 11:22 AM EDT
Witnesses describe hearing gunfire continue for several minutes
A witness, who has not been named, told CNN that he heard the gun fire at the Annunciation Catholic School, Minneapolis, continue for several minutes.
The witness said that it sounded like the gun, potentially a semi-auto rifle, was reloaded several times and continued with the mass shooting at the school.
Aug 27, 2025 at 11:21 AM EDT
AG Pam Bondi says federal agents are on the scene
Attorney General Pam Bondi said that federal agents are on the scene "of the horrific shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota."
"My prayers are with everyone involved in this tragedy. Our team will provide updates as we receive them," she added.
Aug 27, 2025 at 11:18 AM EDT
Shooting happened during Mass, on third day back to school
The mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School, Minneapolis, began at around 8.15 a.m.—in the middle of Mass.
The Mass ceremony is not just for students, but is open to all.
It was just the children's third day back to school on Wednesday when the shooting began.
Annunciation Catholic School has 370 students, from kindergarten to eighth grade.
WCCO, which is on the scene, reports seeing multiple young children coming out of the reunification center who seemed confused or distraught.
Aug 27, 2025 at 11:12 AM EDT
Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she’s ‘heartbroken’ by shooting
Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she's been left "heartbroken" by the mass shooting in Minneapolis Wednesday.
"I am heartbroken by the horrific violence at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis this morning," she said on X.
"My prayers are with the students, teachers, and families, and I am grateful for the first responders who are on the scene."
Aug 27, 2025 at 11:11 AM EDT
Shooter dead by suicide: Reports
The shooter at the Catholic school in Minneapolis died by suicide, according to multiple local and national news reports, citing law enforcement sources.
Minneapolis Police confirmed shortly after 10.30 a.m. ET that the gunman had been "contained" and that there was no longer an active threat to the community.
Aug 27, 2025 at 11:08 AM EDT
IN PICTURES: Parents await news of their children after mass shooting at Annunciation Church
Aug 27, 2025 at 11:03 AM EDT
At least 20 injured, some critical in shooting: Reports
At least 20 people have been injured in the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and church on Wednesday, CBS reports.
Witnesses report seeing a man in black clothing with a rifle open fire, according to the news outlet.
The ages of the victims are unknown at this time, but local news outlets have seen at least two children being taken into ambulances
Aug 27, 2025 at 10:57 AM EDT
Sen. Tina Smith thanks law enforcement for quick response
Minnesota Senator Tina Smith has thanked law enforcement for their "quick response" in tackling the active shooter incident at Annunciation Catholic School after reports the gunman has been "contained."
"My staff and I are monitoring the situation at Annunciation Catholic School. I'm grateful for the quick response of law enforcement as we continue to gather information," she wrote on X.
"It's the first week of school. These kids should not be fearing for their lives."
Aug 27, 2025 at 10:53 AM EDT
Minneapolis Police confirm shooter has been contained, no longer an ‘active threat’
Minneapolis Police Department confirmed in a post on its Facebook page that the shooter had been "contained."
The department wrote that there was no longer an "active threat to the community at this time."
Families of children at Annunciation Catholic School have been urged to go to the reunification zone at the school.
"The public is advised to stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel to help victims – W. 54th Street between Lyndale and Nicollet Ave," they added.
Aug 27, 2025 at 10:51 AM EDT
Trump reacts to active shooter situation in Minneapolis
President Donald Trump has offered prayers for the victims of the mass shooting incident in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
"I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota," the president wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
"The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!"
Aug 27, 2025 at 10:44 AM EDT
DNC Chair refers to shooting as ‘mass casualty’
Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin said on Wednesday that Emergency Medical Services have requested assistance for a "mass casualty" event in Minneapolis.
"There is an active shooter here in Minneapolis right now, an unknown amount of victims at a church and school," he said, according to Politico's Natasha Korecki.
"EMS has requested mass casualty ... if any of you are doctors or otherwise first responders that could help - it seems to be a fairly significant shooting."
The DNC is holding its 2025 annual meeting in Minneapolis, where members discussed party business and began strategizing for the future, including the 2028 primary calendar.
Aug 27, 2025 at 10:41 AM EDT
‘Shooter is contained,’ says City of Minneapolis
The City of Minneapolis said that the shooter has been "contained."
"There is an active police situation at Annunciation Church, 509 W. 54th St.," it said on X.
"There is no active threat to the community at this time. The shooter is contained."
It still urged locals to stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel to help victims.
Aug 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM EDT
Local hospital confirms it is ‘dealing with an emergency situation’
Hennepin County Medical Center, in Minneapolis, confirmed to Newsweek that it is dealing with "an emergency situation at this time."
A Hennepin Healthcare spokesperson advised people to watch their social media for updates.
Aug 27, 2025 at 10:32 AM EDT
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino shares update on shooting
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said that he is aware of the active shooter incident in Minneapolis.
In a post on X, Bongino wrote that agents were "en route to the scene" and said he would provide more updates as able.
Aug 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM EDT
ATF on the scene of active shooter incident
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents on the scene, responding to reports of an active shooter situation at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis.
Aug 27, 2025 at 10:19 AM EDT
Minneapolis mayor ‘monitoring reports of horrific violence’ at the Catholic school
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said on X that he is monitoring the situation after reports of an active shooter at Annunciation Catholic School.
"I'm monitoring reports of horrific violence in South Minneapolis," he wrote on X.
"I'm in touch with Chief O'Hara and our emergency response team has been activated. We will share more information as soon as we can. Please give our officers the space they need to respond to the situation."
Aug 27, 2025 at 10:15 AM EDT
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz responds to active shooter
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed that he has been briefed on the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School On Wednesday morning.
In a post on X, he vowed to provide updates as more information became available.
"The BCA and State Patrol are on scene. I'm praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence."
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