FBI Investigating Annunciation School Mass Shooting As Hate Crime Against Catholics

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Two children were killed and 17 others were injured Wednesday morning when a gunman opened fire during an all-school Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in south Minneapolis, authorities said.

Police said the shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, took his own life at the back of the church after firing dozens of rounds into the pews.

The children killed in the attack were 8 and 10 years old.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is investigating the attack as "an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics."

"The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman," Patel added.

READ MORE: 5 Things To Know About Robin Westman: MN Gunman ID’d After Opening Fire At School Mass

The Attack

The shooting began just before 8:30 a.m., during the first school Mass of the year. According to Police Chief Brian O’Hara, Westman approached the church from the side and fired into the pews through stained-glass windows with a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol.

"The sheer cruelty and cowardice, firing into a church full of children, is absolutely incomprehensible," O’Hara said.

Two children were killed where they sat in the pews.

Fourteen children and three adults were wounded. They are expected to survive.

One of the children was identified by CNN as 13-year-old Endre Gunter, with the outlet citing a statement from his mother, Danielle Gunter, who said her son was shot in the stomach and had undergone surgery.

READ MORE: Minnesota School Shooting Photos: The Heartbreaking Aftermath At Annunciation Church

Westman legally changed his name from Robert to Robin in January 2020 in Dakota County, according to court records.

Westman grew up in Richfield, and his mother previously worked at Annunciation School. Westman graduated from the school in 2017, according to CNN, citing a yearbook obtained by the outlet.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the shooting "an act of evil" and said the city will set up a family resource center for those affected. "We must wrap around the families impacted," Frey said, adding he was "so deeply sorry" for the loss.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda said his "heart is broken" for the community and called for an end to gun violence, saying such tragedies are "far too commonplace." He invited the public to a prayer service on Wednesday night at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield.

"I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence," Gov. Tim Walz said.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said she was "heartbroken by the horrific violence at Annunciation Catholic School this morning," and thanked first responders.

President Donald Trump said in a statement, "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."

Pope Leo XIV said he was "profoundly saddened to learn of the loss of life and injuries following the shooting that took place at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis."

He sent his "heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness" to all those affected, especially families grieving the loss of a child.

Students were evacuated from the school following the attack, and families were directed to a reunification zone at Annunciation.

City officials said at 9:30 a.m. that there was no active threat to the community and urged residents to stay away from the area of West 54th Street between Lyndale and Nicollet avenues to allow emergency crews to work and to protect victims’ privacy.

Other schools across the Twin Cities metro went into lockdown out of an abundance of caution.

The shooting comes one day after a separate incident left one dead and six others wounded near Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis, according to KSTP.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.