A devastating mass shooting occurred at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday morning.
A gunman opened fire with a rifle through the church windows during Mass, striking children and parishioners. The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, approached the church armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, and shot dozens of rounds toward the children sitting in the pews.
The violence resulted in the deaths of two children, aged 8 and 10, and left 17 others wounded. Fourteen of the injured were children, and three were elderly parishioners, but all are expected to survive.
After the shooting, Westman took his own life. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the incident as “absolutely incomprehensible.”
Hundreds gathered for a vigil at a nearby school gym, where Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar joined the mourners.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda spoke about the tragedy, questioning how such violence could occur in a place of worship.
He referenced the inscription at the front of the Annunciation Church that reads: “House of God and the gate of heaven.” “How is it that such a terrible tragedy could take place in a place that’s the house of God and the gate of heaven?” he asked. “It’s unthinkable.”
Fifth-grader Weston Halsne shared his harrowing experience, describing how he ducked for cover and shielded himself with a friend who was hit by gunfire. “I was super scared for him, but I think now he’s okay,” the 10-year-old said, adding that he was praying for the other hospitalized children and adults.
The community is left to grapple with the senseless violence that occurred in a place considered sacred.
