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By Hollie Silverman
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The suspect in a mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church school has been identified as Robin Westman, 23, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X.
"The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics," Patel added.
Westman lived in Richfield, Minnesota, and graduated from Annunciation School in 2017, according to local news station WCCO. Her mother worked in some capacity at the school, news station KARE and the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.
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Westman's mother applied to change her child's name to Robin in 2020, when the child was 17, according to a document reviewed by Newsweek*.* Westman "identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification," the document read.
The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed as they sat in the church pew, according to O'Hara. No motive for the shooting was immediately available, but O'Hara said in an afternoon press conference that there was a manifesto posted to YouTube.
In the video reviewed by Newsweek, four guns and dozens of bullets, as well as magazines holding bullets, are seen.
The suspect was in the parking lot, shooting through the windows into the Mass service where children were praying, according to O'Hara. O'Hara had said that the suspect was a male in his 20s with no known criminal history.
Newsweek reached out to Minneapolis police, Annunciation Church and local hospitals via phone and email on Wednesday for comment.
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The Context
The shooting unfolded during morning Mass on the third day of school at the Annunciation Church.
The school teaches elementary-aged students from kindergarten to eighth grade and has about 370 students enrolled, according to WCCO.
What To Know
An active shooter incident was reported Wednesday morning at the church in south Minneapolis at about 8:40 a.m. local time, O'Hara said.
"This worship service was marking the first day of school for children that
are attending the Annunciation Catholic school," O'Hara said. "The gunman approached on the outside on the side of the building and began firing a rifle through the church windows towards the children.
"This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping. The sheer cruelty and cowardice, firing into a church full of children, is absolutely incomprehensible."
There are a total of 19 victims, including the two children killed, O'Hara said.
Another 14 kids, ages 6-15, were injured by gunfire along with 3 adults in their 80s who were parishioners attending Mass, according to O'Hara.
Shooting Suspect: What We Know
The suspect was dressed in all black and armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, O'Hara said.
O'Hara said at an afternoon press conference that the weapons were all purchased legally.
The suspect also had a smoke bomb, or a firework that would produce smoke, but no bomb or improvised explosives were found on the scene, according to O'Hara.
Dozens of shell casings were found in the parking lot, but none were found in the church, he said, adding that investigators believe the suspect entered the church at some point.
O'Hara said there was a two-by-four blocking the doors on the side of the church from where the suspect shot.
Additional weapons have been seized as part of the investigation from three residences in the area, according to O'Hara.
One of the residences searched as part of the investigation was an apartment, where WCCO spoke with the suspect's neighbors.
"Maybe I've seen his face," one neighbor, a mother carrying her child, said. "It's just so scary to have a shooter next door to you."
A WCCO video showed at least two boxes filled with evidence being taken by law enforcement.
How Did The Shooting Suspect Die?
O'Hara told reporters that the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
"The coward who fired these shots ultimately took his own life in the rear of the church," he said.
He didn't specify which weapon the suspect used.
No other suspects are believed to be involved, he said.
Hennepin Healthcare In Minneapolis Responds
Twenty people were transported to local hospitals, including 16 children. At least six children were taken to Children's Minnesota, while 11 others were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center. HCMC said it received nine children and two adults, with four requiring surgery.
The juvenile patients were ages 6 to 14, Dr. Thomas Wyatt, chair of Emergency Medicine at HCMC, told reporters during a press conference.
What People Are Saying
Westman's uncle, former Kentucky state lawmaker Bob Heleringer, told the Associated Press: "It's an unspeakable tragedy. We're praying for my sister and her other children and also, obviously, for these poor, poor children."
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, during a press conference: "Don't you just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying, it was the first week of school. They were in a church."
Children's Minnesota, in a statement to Newsweek: "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."
Bishop Jeffrey Walsh of the Diocese of Gaylord, on Facebook: "We join in prayerful solidarity with our former bishop, Archbishop Hebda, at this tragic time of the Catholic school shooting in Minneapolis. 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."
Richfield police, on Facebook: "MINNEAPOLIS: 509 W 54th St, Annunciation Church – Police are responding to an active shooter call. Officers are reporting 20 victims. 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. Initial information indicated the suspect shooter is no longer a threat. However, out of an abundance of caution, we have increased Richfield's patrol staffing to provide additional resources in Richfield and assistance to Minneapolis."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, on X: "I've been briefed on a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and will continue to provide updates as we get more information. 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."
Hennepin Healthcare, on X: "We are caring for patients from the shooting that occurred this morning. Please watch this and other social media sites for updates."
What Happens Next
Multiple law enforcement agencies will continue to investigate the shooting. It is unclear how long the school will be closed.
Update 8/27/25, 12:54 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 8/27/25, 1:43 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and a new headline.
Update 8/27/25, 3:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 8/27/25, 3:46 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 8/27/25, 4:06 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 8/27/25, 4:36 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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