In a tragic and shocking turn of events, the Minneapolis community is reeling from a devastating shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, where two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed and 17 others were injured during a morning Mass on August 27, 2025. The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, leaving authorities scrambling to piece together the motive behind this horrific act of violence. However, one critical piece of the investigation has hit a roadblock: the shooter’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, has not been cooperative with law enforcement, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. This lack of communication has deepened the mystery surrounding the attack and raised questions about what may have driven Westman to commit such a heinous crime.
The shooting took place just before 8:30 a.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church, which houses a school for prekindergarten through eighth-grade students. The assailant, armed with a legally purchased rifle, shotgun, and pistol, approached the side of the church and fired dozens of rounds through the stained-glass windows, targeting children and worshippers seated in the pews. The attack was described as a “deliberate act of violence” by Chief O’Hara, who noted the “sheer cruelty and cowardice” of firing into a church full of children. Authorities recovered 116 rifle rounds, three shotgun shells, and one live handgun round that appeared to have jammed, along with a smoke bomb at the scene. The church’s policy of locking its doors after Mass began likely prevented further loss of life, as Westman was unable to enter the building.
Investigators have been working tirelessly to uncover a motive, executing four search warrants at the church and three residences linked to Westman in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, and Richfield. Hundreds of pieces of evidence, including writings and videos, have been recovered, shedding light on the shooter’s disturbed mental state. According to Acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Joseph Thompson, Westman’s writings revealed “pure, indiscriminate hate” and an obsession with killing children, as well as admiration for past mass shooters. The shooter’s manifesto, scheduled to be released on YouTube during the attack, contained disturbing references to violence, antisemitic and anti-Catholic sentiments, and even a call to harm President Trump. The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, is investigating the incident as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.
Mary Grace Westman, the shooter’s mother, is a key figure in the investigation due to her prior employment at Annunciation Catholic Church, where she worked in the business office until her retirement in 2021. Authorities have confirmed that Robin Westman, who legally changed her name from Robert to Robin in 2020, was a former student at the school and had attended Mass there. Despite this connection, no specific grievance against the church or school has been identified. Chief O’Hara stated that investigators have conducted dozens of interviews but have been unable to reach Mary Grace Westman, who has not responded to attempts to contact her. This lack of cooperation has frustrated efforts to understand the shooter’s background, living situation, and potential influences leading up to the attack.
The community’s response to the tragedy has been one of profound grief and outrage. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the shooting “horrific,” emphasizing the pain of children being “met with evil and horror and death” during their first week of school. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey rejected the notion of offering only “thoughts and prayers,” urging action to address gun violence. A vigil held at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield saw hundreds gather to mourn the victims, identified as 8-year-old Fletcher Alexander Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Lillian Moyski. The surviving victims, including 14 children and three elderly parishioners, are receiving treatment, with one child remaining in critical condition as of August 28.
The investigation continues to unfold, with authorities combing through Westman’s digital footprint and physical evidence. The shooter’s lack of criminal history and recent legal purchase of firearms have raised concerns about gaps in the system that allowed such a tragedy to occur. Meanwhile, the silence of Mary Grace Westman looms large, leaving investigators and the public alike searching for answers. As Minneapolis grapples with this unspeakable loss, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and preventing future acts of violence.
