Tragedy Strikes Minneapolis Catholic School: Two Children Killed, Gunman Dies by Suicide
A shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025, killed two children and the gunman, Robin Westman, injuring seventeen others during morning Mass.
Overview
On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, a shooting occurred at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during morning Mass, marking the first week of classes.
Two children, Fletcher Merkel (8) and Harper Moyski (10), were killed, along with the 23-year-old gunman, Robin Westman, who died from a self-inflicted wound.
Seventeen others, including 14 children aged 6 to 15 and three adults, sustained injuries, with several patients in critical condition at local hospitals.
Westman, a former pupil, fired from outside through church windows with multiple weapons after barricading doors; smoke bombs were also found at the scene.
Authorities are investigating the motive, including potential domestic terrorism or a hate crime targeting Catholics, though no active threat remains.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by intensely focusing on the victims' personal lives, their families' profound grief, and the community's emotional response. They emphasize the tragedy's human cost, using evocative language and prioritizing statements that convey loss and resilience, while also including calls for collective action against gun violence and mental health issues.
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FAQ
The gunman was identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, a former pupil of the school who died by suicide at the scene.
Robin Westman was armed with a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol, firing shots from all three weapons during the attack.
Two children, Fletcher Merkel (8) and Harper Moyski (10), were killed, and seventeen others—including 14 children aged 6 to 15 and three adults—were injured, some critically.
Within seconds of the gunfire, the heroic staff moved students under the pews and evacuated them when it was safe to do so, significantly protecting many individuals.
Authorities are investigating the shooting as a possible domestic terrorism act or hate crime targeting Catholics, though no active threat remains.
History
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