Tragedy at Annunciation Church
A peaceful student Mass turned into ter*or on August 27, 2025, when a gunman opened fire at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Children in the pews faced unimaginable danger, leaving families and the community reeling from the sh*cking vi*lence.
Authorities have identified the shooter and uncovered fire*rms, a disturbing manifesto, and online posts revealing years of inner turmoil.
Sh**ting Shatters Sacred Service
The congregation gathered inside the church when gunfire erupted, shattering stained-glass windows and the sanctuary’s peace. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported that the attacker “began firing a r*fle through church windows” and aimed at children. He added that the shooter used a r*fle, a sh*tg*n, and a p*stol.
The city issued an alert, urging residents to avoid the area. First responders acted swiftly, but the toll was devastating: two children, ages 8 and 10, were ki**ed, and 17 others were injured, 14 of them children. Two remain in critical condition.
Troubled Suspect with a Dark Past
Authorities named Robin Westman, a local resident in her early 20s, as the shooter. Westman is believed to be d**d. She had legally changed her name from Robert in 2020 and reportedly identified as a woman.
Westman had no major criminal record, but her deleted YouTube channel displayed videos featuring f*re*rms, anti-religious symbols, white supremacist imagery, and racial slurs. Officials also recovered a four-page handwritten manifesto detailing years of mental decline, hopelessness, and isolation.
In the manifesto, Westman admitted, “I have wanted this for so long. I am not well. I am not right. I am a sad person, haunted by these thoughts that do not go away. I know this is wrong, but I can’t seem to stop myself.”
Eyewitness Hor*or
Among the terrified children was fifth-grader Weston Halse. He hid under a pew as gunfire erupted, noticing specks of g*npowder dust on his neck. “My friend Victor saved me by laying on top of me, but he got hit,” Halse said. Students were then escorted to a locked gym, where they waited to be reunited with their parents.
Parents shared their panic and relief. Carla Maldonado, whose two children survived, described searching frantically before finding her 7-year-old in the parking lot and her 11-year-old hiding in the basement. She expressed gratitude for the school’s safety preparations and sadness that such events are now so common.
National Response
President Donald Trump addressed the tragedy on Truth Social: “I have been fully briefed on the tragic sh**ting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded… Please join me in praying for everyone involved!”
He ordered all U.S. flags, including those at federal buildings, military posts, and abroad, to fly at half-staff until sunset on August 31 in honor of the victims.
