“My friend got shot in the back,” Kids recall horror as man opens fire during morning mass at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis

A shooter opened fire during morning mass at Annunciation Church in south Minneapolis on Wednesday, August 27. The shooting started shortly before 8:30 a.m. during the school’s daily 8:15 a.m. mass at Annunciation Church and Catholic School on West 54th Street.

Seven children were first admitted to the Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis after the incident. One child has now been discharged, leaving six still in the hospital. Separately, Thomas Wyatt, Chair of Emergency Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare, said seven critical patients were brought in, and four of them needed surgery.

10-year-old Weston Halsne, who was at Annunciation Catholic School and Church during the shooting, described the experience as terrifying in an interview with NBC’s Minneapolis affiliate KARE. “We waited for 10 to five minutes. We then went to the gym and the doors were locked. My Friend got hit in the back. I was super scared.

But I now think he is ok,” the 10-year-old told KARE.

Three law enforcement sources told CBS News that the suspected attacker is 23-year-old Robin Westman from suburban Minneapolis. Police confirmed the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to the report by Mint, emergency crews said at least 14 people were shot, and two were pronounced dead at the scene. City officials have not yet confirmed the final number of casualties. The City of Minneapolis later confirmed on X, that the shooter had been contained and there was “no active threat to the community.”

Minneapolis church shooting updates

Families of students were told they could go to the reunification zone at Annunciation School. Police, paramedics, state patrol, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) secured the area. Authorities have not given details about the suspect’s condition or possible motive, as per the reports.

Governor and Mayor react

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said “praying for kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.” Walz also wrote 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”, as stated by Mint.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the event “horrific violence.” He said the city’s emergency response team was activated. Frey also posted on X saying, “I'm monitoring reports of horrific violence in South Minneapolis. I'm in touch with Chief O'Hara and our emergency response team has been activated. We will share more information as soon as we can. Please give our officers the space they need to respond to the situation”.

FAQs

Q1. How many people were shot in the Minneapolis church shooting?
At least 14 people were shot and two were confirmed dead during the mass at Annunciation Church, according to emergency crews.

Q2. Is the Minneapolis church shooter still a threat?
No, city officials confirmed the shooter was contained and there was no active threat to the community.