8-year-old and 10-year-old killed, 17 others injured at Catholic school shooting in Minneapolis

UPDATE - The gunman who killed two children, 8 and 10 years old, in a mass shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis on Wednesday has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman. He died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police.

According to the New York Post, they are investigating an apparent manifesto linked to the deranged murderer.

The two students were “killed where they sat” praying in pews packed with other kids, staff, and parents.

Police say the mother of the lone gunman who killed two students and injured 17 others at the Annunciation Church and Catholic School in Minneapolis was an employee at the school.

According to reports, both an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old were shot and killed on Wednesday when a gunman fired shots through the windows of a church at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

According to police, seventeen others, including 14 children, were injured in the shooting during a Mass that marked the first week of school. Two of those children are in critical condition, according to police.

Parents hug after picking up their children following a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in south Minneapolis on Aug. 27, 2025. (KSTP-TV)

O'Hara said the mass shooting began just before 8:30 a.m. when the gunman approached the side of the building and fired a rifle through the church windows toward the children and other worshippers sitting in the pews.

The chief called it a"deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping."

The gunman is described as being in his early 20s and was armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol. Police believe he fired from all three weapons.

The gunman died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.

"We are looking through information left behind to try and determine some type of motive," the chief said.

During a news conference, an emotional Minneapolis Mayor said, "These kids were literally praying." "It was the first week of school. They were in a church. These are kids that should be learning with their friends, they should be playing on the playground. They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence, and their parents should have the same kind of assurance."

"This kind of act of evil should never happen, and it happens far too often," he said.

Students in pre-K to eighth grade attend the school. Young children wearing their uniforms were seen leaving the school holding their parents’ hands.

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

Brian Leege, who lives two blocks from the school, told ABC News he was having breakfast with his daughter when he heard dozens of gunshots over two to three minutes.

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he's been "fully briefed on the tragic shooting."

The President wrote, "The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!"

According to ABC News, Trump called Walz after the shooting to offer his condolences.

Please keep the families, loved ones, those with injuries, the student body, and the school faculty/administrators in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the entire community.

This is a developing story.

Please help support the work of What's going on in the Lehigh Valley.

Your support is critical in keeping this publication going - Without community support, an independent publication such as What's going on in the Lehigh Valley can not remain in business. There is no corporate backing or big donors to rely on - We rely on community support. WGOLV is a community publication - designed to help the community by keeping the community informed, updated on current events, breaking news, safety alerts and much more! It’s also a cause to help our community for years. Even get word out on all the missing persons and pets many of which were found, animal rescues, donation drives even for first responders, Veterans, homeless. Go live at press conferences and events for people to enjoy. Crowdfunding articles to help those in our community raise income for fires, cancer, pediatric cancer and more, snow angels in the winter for the Disabled veterans and our seniors. Plus help people daily with many questions they write in with.

Your support through donations, fundraising is very important - even subscribing to the Facebook page of What's going on in the Lehigh Valley is so important. Through there, you can also receive discounts on advertising, behind-the-scenes information, and coffee meet-ups to discuss ideas, events. There is no corporate funding or big donors like many other local news publications have - We rely on the community.  Your support means so much! It's also mom-owned and run.

Thank you!

y Now

Each sale supports the work of What's going on in the Lehigh Valley

Student interns are always welcome and a great way to give back to your community while receiving credits for working with a local publication. There are so many opportunities. Volunteer opportunities are available as well. Some paid positions will also be available in the near future - event planning, coordination, marketing, and even travel. If you are interested, please reach out to me via e-mail at lorilee@wgolv.com.

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION - WGOLV is a great place to promote your business or event:

WGOLV has been specializing in small business and event promotion for over 14 years. The reach is really incredible on the main Facebook page. There is also a music page where many articles and flyers are cross-posted to. We can also go live at your place of business (Business showcase) - provide interviews...It's such a great way for people to hear about your business or event! WGOLV reaches all over the region and nationwide (even internationally). When you advertise with WGOLV you give back to your community. We can also publish reels to Facebook and other social media. We also download into YouTube videos.

Display and Banner Advertising are also available on the website.

Any products you purchase on the website also help go towards the expenses of WGOLV.

Contact lorilee@wgolv.com 

Watch for bus trips, music shows, and health and fitness coming soon!

Lots of great things planned for WGOLV! Check out the subscriber section on the Facebook page for more information - polls etc.