On the morning of August 27, 2025, the serene neighborhood of south Minneapolis was shattered by an unthinkable act of violence. At Annunciation Catholic School, a tight-knit institution known for its faith-based learning and community spirit, a mass shooting claimed the lives of two young children—an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old—during a morning Mass celebrating the first week of the school year. Seventeen others, including 14 children and three elderly parishioners, were injured in what Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described as a “deliberate act of violence against innocent children and worshippers.” As the community grapples with grief, shock, and trauma, thousands have gathered in vigils across the city, uniting in mourning and issuing a resounding call for change to end the scourge of gun violence in America.

The tragedy unfolded just before 8:30 a.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church, which shares its campus with the school that has served preschool through eighth-grade students since 1923. The assailant, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, approached the church’s stained-glass windows and opened fire with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, spraying dozens of rounds into the pews where children and parishioners sat in prayer. The two young victims were killed instantly, their lives cut short in a place meant to be a sanctuary. Westman, who had a personal connection to the school and whose mother once worked at the church, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The motive remains under investigation, with authorities examining a manifesto and videos posted to YouTube that suggest a troubled mind influenced by past school shootings and personal grievances.

The immediate aftermath was chaotic yet marked by acts of heroism. Teachers and staff at Annunciation acted swiftly, moving children under pews and shielding them from harm. “Children were ducked down. Adults were protecting children. Older children were protecting younger children,” said Principal Matt DeBoer, his voice heavy with emotion during a press conference. Minneapolis police officers responded within minutes, entering the church to render aid and evacuate survivors. One officer was credited with comforting an injured eighth-grader, offering a hug before the child was taken to an ambulance. The rapid response likely prevented an even greater loss of life, but the trauma etched into the survivors—children, educators, and parishioners alike—will linger for years.

By midday, the injured were rushed to local hospitals, including Children’s Minnesota and Hennepin County Medical Center. Seven children, aged 6 to 14, were treated at Children’s Minnesota, with four discharged by evening. Hennepin’s trauma center received 11 patients, nine of them children, with four requiring surgery. All 17 injured victims are expected to survive, though some remain in critical condition. Dr. Thomas Wyatt, chair of emergency medicine at Hennepin, spoke of the emotional toll on medical staff: “We’re trained for this, but it never gets easier when it’s children.”

As news of the shooting spread, the Minneapolis community mobilized with remarkable unity. By Wednesday evening, thousands gathered at multiple vigils across the Twin Cities, with two prominent gatherings at Lynnhurst Park and the Academy of Holy Angels. At Lynnhurst, mourners clad in red “Protect Minnesota” shirts—a nod to the state’s gun violence prevention coalition—stood shoulder to shoulder, holding flickering candles and singing hymns. The air was thick with grief, described by attendee Kaliee Poling, a former Annunciation student and now a parent, as a “heaviness I’ve never experienced before.” Poling, who grew up in the school’s close-knit community, spoke of the surreal pain of seeing her childhood haven violated. “I just can’t imagine what those kids went through this morning,” she said, her voice breaking.

The vigil at the Academy of Holy Angels drew over 600 people, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese. Hebda presided over a prayer service, reading a telegram from Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, who expressed profound sadness and offered condolences to the grieving families. The crowd, packed into the school’s gym, sang together, their voices blending in a shared expression of sorrow and resilience. Local restaurants donated food, and Lutheran Church Charities set up crosses adorned with flowers and candles, creating a space for quiet reflection.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, visibly emotional, addressed the Lynnhurst vigil, emphasizing the innocence of the victims. “These children were literally praying at this moment,” he said. “They should be laughing and goofing off in the hallways, not facing this kind of evil.” Frey also confronted divisive rhetoric surrounding the shooter’s reported transgender identity, urging the community to focus on the victims rather than scapegoating any group. “Anybody using this to villainize our trans community has lost their sense of common humanity,” he said. “This needs to be about the kids.”

The shooting, the 44th school shooting in the U.S. in 2025 according to a CNN analysis, has reignited calls for gun reform. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan joined the chorus, advocating for a national ban on assault rifles and stronger gun control measures. The tragedy follows a violent summer in Minnesota, including the June assassination of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in a politically motivated attack. The Hortman family issued a statement calling for “common-sense measures” to restrict access to high-powered weapons, echoing sentiments shared at the vigils.

Vincent Francoual, whose daughter survived the shooting, spoke of the profound trauma she endured. “She told a counselor she thought she was going to die,” he shared. Yet, he drew strength from the community’s support, noting, “Annunciation is a great community. We’re all here together, and we’ll get through this because there’s no other way.” Stories of bravery emerged, including that of a 10-year-old boy who survived by hiding under a friend who shielded him from bullets.

The national response was swift. President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags flown at half-staff until sunset on Sunday, August 31, as a mark of respect for the victims. Former President Barack Obama called the shooting “heartbreaking,” urging Americans not to become numb to such tragedies. Governor Walz, speaking alongside Frey, vowed that Minnesotans would not “step away” from supporting the affected families. “This is unthinkable, but it’s all too common, not just in Minnesota but across the country,” he said, expressing hope that no other community would face such a day.

The Annunciation shooting has left an indelible mark on Minneapolis, a city already reeling from a series of shootings in the preceding 24 hours. For residents like Arthur Louie, who grew up near the church and laid flowers at a makeshift memorial, the attack pierced the heart of a community known for its unity. “This church is a staple,” he said, tears in his eyes. “We’re all tied together.” Reverend Angela Denker, a local pastor, reflected on the broader implications, lamenting a culture that has become “very, very cruel to children.”

As the investigation continues, with the FBI probing the attack as a possible hate crime targeting Catholics, the focus remains on healing. A family assistance center has been established to provide resources and counseling, and schools across the Twin Cities are reassessing safety protocols. For the Annunciation community, the road ahead is one of collective mourning and determination. Principal DeBoer’s plea to “pray with our feet” by taking action against gun violence resonates deeply, a call to transform grief into meaningful change.

In the shadow of this tragedy, Minneapolis stands united, honoring the memory of two young lives lost and vowing to protect the future of its children. The candles lit at vigils may flicker out, but the resolve to end such senseless violence burns brighter than ever.