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By Sonam Sheth
Evening Politics Editor
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The principal of Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, lauded the bravery of his students in the wake of a deadly mass shooting that killed two children and injured 17 others on Wednesday.
"I love you. You're so brave and I'm so sorry this happened to us today," Principal Matthew DeBoer said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. "Within seconds of this situation beginning, our teachers were heroes. Children were ducked down. Adults were protecting children. Older children were protecting younger children.
"As we heard earlier, it could have been significantly worse without their heroic action," the principal said.
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Why It Matters
Wednesday's is the latest in a spate of mass shootings that have taken place across the country this year. A mass shooting is defined as an attack that kills four or more people, not including the shooter.
There have been at least 286 mass shootings in the U.S. as of Wednesday, according to data compiled by CNN and the Gun Violence Archive.
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What To Know
The suspect in Wednesday's shooting fired a rifle through the windows of Annunciation Catholic Church while students were attending their first mass of the new school year. The shooting killed an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old who were sitting in the pews, police said.
Police said the shooter, who has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after carrying out the attack.
Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara also said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon that investigators are working to "develop a motive" from a manifesto the shooter posted that was timed to be published on YouTube.
One 10-year-old fifth grader, Weston Halsne, told reporters in Minneapolis that his classmate, Victor, shielded him from gunfire during the mass shooting at their Catholic school.
"My friend Victor, like, saved me, though. 'Cause he laid on top of me. But he got hit," Halsne told WCCO News. "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.
What People Are Saying
DeBoer said Wednesday: "This is a nightmare, but we call ourselves the dream team and we will recover from this. We will rebuild from this ... We, as a community, have responsibility to make sure that no child, no parent, no teacher, ever has to experience what we've experienced today."
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, at a press conference Wednesday afternoon: "We need to be doing more than talking. It can't just be words. There needs to be action.
"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."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: "I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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!"
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz wrote on social media: "I'm praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence."
FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X: "The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics. There were 2 fatalities, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old. In addition, 14 children and 3 adults were injured. The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman.
California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X: "We cannot even make it through the first week of school without mass shootings. And the @GOP will continue to do absolutely nothing while our kids are being gunned down. This is sick."
What Happens Next
Patel said the FBI's investigation into the shooting is ongoing and that the bureau will continue providing updates as they come.
Update 08/27/25 9:41 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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