FBI investigating Minneapolis school shooting as hate crime against Catholics

Update: 6:50 p.m.:

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara shared more details about the Wednesday morning shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minn., that took the lives of two children of ages 8 and 10. All 17 of the surviving victims are expected to recover, he said Wednesday afternoon. O’Hara reported that 14 of the victims were students at the Annunciation Catholic School between the ages of 6 and 15 years old. The last three victims were adult parishioners in their 80s, he added.

Officials identified the shooter as Robin Westman, 23, a male born as Robert Westman. The shooter lawfully purchased all three guns used in the attack, in which he acted alone, O’Hara said. Police are executing three search warrants on residences across town related to the shooter, he added. O’Hara admitted that the shooter uploaded a YouTube video with a manifesto before committing the attack. The video has been taken down and officials are still working to identify the attacker's motive, O’Hara said.

Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey both spoke at the afternoon update, asking the nation for thoughts and prayers. Annunciation School Principal Matthew DuBois also spoke, describing accounts from the shooting. Teachers jumped into action to protect students, and older students acted to shield younger students, he said. This is a nightmare but we will rebuild from this, he added.

The FBI planned to investigate the shooting as an act of domestic terror and a hate crime against Catholics, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.

A man lays flowers outside the Annunciation Catholic School following a shooting Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. Associated Press / Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn

Update: 1:11 p.m.:

Two children were killed Wednesday morning when a shooter opened fire on a morning mass at Annunciation Catholic School, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference. An 8-year-old and a 10-year-old were killed in the pews where they sat, O’Hara said. A total of 17 other attendees were injured, including 14 children, two of whom remained in critical condition, O’Hara said. Dozens of students attended the mass that marked the first week of school.

The gunman launched the attack from outside the church by firing at attendees through the church’s windows, the police chief said. The attacker barricaded one of the exits and used a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol to fire dozens of rounds, he added. Officials located the alleged shooter dead in the parking lot from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, O’Hara said.

What is known about the shooter? O’Hara described the alleged shooter as a male in his early 20s with no extensive criminal history. Officials are unsure of his motives and if he had any affiliation with the church or its school. Police are searching what is believed to be the suspect's car and plan to launch other property searches to gain more information about the alleged shooter, O’Hara.

Parents await news of their children's status after a shooting at Annunciation Church on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 in Minneapolis. Star Tribune via Associated Press / Photo by Alex Kormann

Update: 12:02 p.m.:

City officials are holding a news conference on the fatal mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school on Wednesday. To watch the news conference, use the media player below or click here.

Update: 11:44 a.m.: 

Two children are dead along with the gunman in a shooting at a Catholic church and school in Minneapolis on Wednesday, according to a report by local media outlet The Minnesota Star Tribune, citing an unnamed law enforcement source. 

This story will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.

Law enforcement officers gather outside the Annunciation Church's school in response to a reported mass shooting, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. Associated Press / Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn

Update: 11:24 a.m.:

Police from the city of Richfield, a suburb of Minneapolis, reported 20 victims in a shooting at a Catholic church and school on Wednesday and described the attacker as a man with a rifle dressed in all black. The church houses a school with students from Pre-K to 8th grade. It holds mass every Wednesday at 8:15 a.m.

Gov. Tim Walz was briefed on the situation and reported that State Patrol and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were on the scene, according to a Wednesday morning statement. Mayor Jacob Frey said he was also monitoring the situation and remains in touch with Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. Officers need time and space to respond to the scene, but more information will be shared as soon as possible, Frey added.

The White House will continue monitoring this terrible shooting, and the FBI is on scene, according to President Donald Trump. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino previously reported that agents were en route to the scene and promised more updates. The church shooting came less than a day after another fatal shooting less than five miles away that left one person dead and five others wounded.

This story will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.

Parents await news of their children after a reported mass shooting at Annunciation Church on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. Star Tribune via Associated Press / Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatarii

Original story:

Multiple casualties were reported after a mass shooting on Wednesday morning inside Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minn., according to local reports. Emergency workers transported at least 12 victims from the scene, including several under the age of 13, reports said. Initial reports of the shooting cited about 20 victims, though officials have not yet confirmed those numbers. Police contained the active shooter, and there is no longer any threat to the community, according to city officials.

This story will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.