A mass shooting this week at the Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis has left three dead, including the perpetrator, in an attack called “senseless” by one of the nation’s African-American Catholic prelates. The incident occurred Wednesday morning during a student Mass for the neighboring Annunciation Catholic School.
Local law enforcement has identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin M. Westman, an alumnus of the preK-8 school who left behind a manifesto indicating mental health struggles and violent ideation.
“I am saddened by this senseless act of violence,” said Archbishop Shelton Fabre of Louisville, who leads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.
“I invite the faithful of the Archdiocese of Louisville to join me in praying for the repose of the souls of those killed, the victims who were injured, and the Annunciation community. Let us continue to pray for peace in our communities.”
Marnie McAllister
Both of the victims in the shooting were children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. 18 more were injured, including 15 children and three elderly adults.
All of the injured victims are expected to recover, including 13-year-old Endre Gunter, an African American who began eighth grade this year. He was shot twice in the stomach during the attack and his family is among those currently fundraising for medical expenses.
The perpetrator, Westman, is believed to have had an obsession with previous mass shootings and described intentions to harm children. Westman also reportedly visited Annunciation School before Wednesday's attack, which ended when the shooter took their own life at the scene.
“The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics,” said FBI director Kash Patel on Wednesday afternoon.
“The FBI will continue to provide updates on our ongoing investigation with the public as we are able.”
Updates on the shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota:
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) August 27, 2025
The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.
There were 2 fatalities, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old. In addition, 14 children and 3 adults were injured.
The… https://t.co/ErFZpSieKS
On Thursday, Patel noted that several anti-Catholic and anti-religious messages were included in the shooter’s manifesto and on their firearms, which were purchased legally. Westman also expressed antisemitic views and called for violence against President Trump—common themes in previous mass shootings known to have been valorized by the perpetrator.
Trump himself has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff on federal property, domestic and abroad, through the weekend in recognition of the victims in Minneapolis. It is unclear what specifically prompted the move from the president, who has not issued a similar order for other mass shootings this year.
Just minutes from Annunciation, a mass shooting took place Tuesday near Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Twin Cities, killing one and injuring six.
“We need an end to gun violence. Our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetrated against the vulnerable and innocent. They are far too commonplace,” said Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis following Wednesday’s shooting.
Annunciation Church and School remain temporarily closed following the shooting, which damaged the former during the course of the attack. A prayer vigil was held at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield on Wednesday night, with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Amy Klobuchar in attendance.
Derek Mosley, a Black Catholic and former municipal court judge who serves as director of Marquette University’s Lubar Center for Public Policy Research & Civic Education, spoke of the response to this week’s tragedy as a moment of solidarity.
“Here we are—another day, another headline, another broken piece of our hearts,” he wrote on social media, commenting on a viral photo of a mother running barefoot toward Annunciation School immediately following the shooting.
“Every mom, every dad, every human who still believes children deserve safety and innocence—we were running with you.”
