A mass shooting at a Catholic church in Minneapolis has left two children dead and 17 others injured, prompting federal investigators to classify the act as a possible anti-Catholic hate crime. The attack occurred Wednesday morning while children were attending Mass inside Annunciation Church, which also houses a private school.
The gunman, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, reportedly opened fire using three firearms, sending dozens of rounds through the stained-glass windows of the church. Westman was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities recovered a smoke bomb at the site and say Westman acted alone.
The FBI and Minneapolis Police Department are now investigating the attack as a bias-motivated crime, given the religious setting and the presence of a YouTube manifesto Westman allegedly timed to post during the shooting. The video was swiftly removed by federal officials.
Witness accounts paint a picture of terror and confusion. Ten-year-old Weston Halsne told local news that his friend Victor shielded him from gunfire, taking a bullet in the back. “I was super scared for him,” Weston said, describing how Mass turned into a nightmare in seconds.
Other children fled the church covered in blood, some with visible wounds. One girl with a head injury, trembling and crying, begged a neighbor not to leave her side. Local resident Patrick Scallen told the BBC he held the girl’s hand until emergency services arrived.
Another witness described hearing what sounded like construction noise, only to realize the sounds were gunfire. “The looks on the children’s faces alone—something I’ll never forget,” said nanny Madee Brandt.
Authorities confirmed that Westman, previously known as Robert Westman, was a former student at the school attached to the church. Westman’s mother was once employed there, according to past newsletters.
Though Westman did not have an extensive criminal record, investigators say they recovered a manifesto that indicated premeditated motives behind the shooting. The FBI assisted in removing the online post, which was designed to go live as the shooting occurred.
The incident is drawing national and international attention. Pope Leo XIV issued a rare personal statement expressing sorrow and urging peace, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the tragedy as “all too common, not just in our state but across the country.”
While the perpetrator is no longer alive to face criminal prosecution, civil legal options may be available for families affected by mass shootings—particularly when there is evidence of negligence, security failures, or institutional responsibility.
At Haggard Crime Victim Attorney, a division of The Haggard Law Firm, we stand with victims and their families in pursuit of justice. Whether the issue involves:
…our legal team is prepared to explore every path for accountability and compensation.
If your family has been affected by a mass shooting, school violence, or hate-based attacks, it’s important to understand your legal rights. Civil lawsuits can provide:
Reach out to Michael Haggard, Esq. and the experienced team at Haggard Crime Victim Attorney for a free consultation. We are committed to protecting the rights of victims and ensuring that no act of violence goes unanswered.
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