A horrifying mass shooting left 20 victims shot in South Minneapolis Wednesday morning when a gunman opened fire during morning mass at Annunciation Catholic Church and School.
Multiple people were killed and more than a dozen were injured, according to early reports. Authorities confirmed the suspect took his own life at the scene, ending the immediate danger but leaving an already crime-weary city reeling.
The violence erupted just after 8:15 a.m., during a daily mass attended by children, parents, and parishioners at the K-8 Catholic school. Witnesses said the sound of rapid gunfire sent people diving under pews and rushing for the exits. Police arrived within minutes, but by then, the shooter — dressed in black and carrying a rifle — had already left a trail of destruction.
UPDATE: Suspect in Minneapolis Catholic Church mass shooting identified as Robin Westman. – KAROL
Initial reports suggest 14 people were shot, though other local agencies estimate closer to 20. Several were pronounced dead at the scene. The shooter, whose identity has not been released, reportedly died from a self-inflicted wound. His motive is still unknown.
Local leaders quickly issued statements, but many residents in Minneapolis expressed frustration, saying the city’s Democrat-controlled leadership has allowed lawlessness to fester for years. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the attack “horrific” and asked residents to “give officers space,” but critics argue that his soft-on-crime approach and prior attempts to defund the police have emboldened criminals instead of deterring them.
Governor Tim Walz also confirmed the state had dispatched resources, including the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. But the governor, too, has faced criticism for policies that many argue prioritize criminals’ “rights” over community safety.
On Truth Social, President Donald Trump offered condolences but also emphasized swift federal support. “I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” he wrote. Unlike his Democrat counterparts, Trump has consistently pushed for stronger law-and-order measures and tougher punishments for violent offenders.
The shooting took place in a sanctuary — a Catholic church where families expected peace, not terror. The symbolism isn’t lost on many conservatives who point out that attacks on religious institutions have increased while the political Left focuses on divisive culture battles instead of protecting Americans in their schools and places of worship.
Parents at the scene rushed to reunite with their children as police secured the building. Many wept openly, furious that their kids had been put in danger because violent individuals roam free until tragedy strikes. “Enough is enough,” one father said. “We need leaders who care about victims, not excuses for criminals.”
The attack has renewed calls for stronger policing and harsher penalties for violent crime. Residents of Minneapolis, already weary from years of riots, rising homicides, and failed progressive experiments, now face yet another tragedy that exposes the consequences of weak leadership.
For now, families are grieving, a Catholic community is shaken, and a city once again finds itself on the national stage — not for its recovery, but for its inability to protect its most innocent.