LAST UPDATE | 27 Aug 2025

THE DIRECTOR OF the FBI has said the mass shooting that took place at a school in Minneapolis today is being investigated as an act of domestic terrorism and an anti-Catholic hate crime. 

Two children were killed and 17 people injured, including 14 children, in the shooting, which took place at a Catholic school mass in the major midwest US city.

The shooting happened during a mass marking the first week of school at Annunciation Church, which sits alongside the primary school. Police said the shoter also died by suicide. 

“The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics,” FBI director Kash Patel said on X, adding that the shooter has been identified as “Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman.”

Local police said the shooter had posted a manifesto on YouTube which has since been taken down by the FBI. 

“We are also aware of a manifesto that the shooter had timed to be released on YouTube,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brain O’Hara told reporters.

He said the manifesto appeared to show the shooter “at the scene and included some disturbing writings (and) that content has since been taken down with the assistance of the FBI”.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said law enforcement are aware of a "manifesto that the shooter had timed to be released on YouTube."

The content, which "included some disturbing writings," has since been taken down with the assistance of the FBI. pic.twitter.com/Yd0aRdenVl

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) August 27, 2025

‘Unthinkable tragedy’ 

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, O’Hara said the “unthinkable tragedy” happened just before 8.30am (2.30pm Irish time), when the attacker began firing a rifle through the church windows during the mass.

The attacker was armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, which were all puchased lawfully. 

O’Hara confirmed that two children aged 8 and 10 were killed. He said 17 people were injured, including 14 children. Two of those children are in a critical condition. 

“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping. The sheer cruelty of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” he said. 

“Our hearts are broken for everyone that has been affected by this tragedy.”

Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey said he was “deeply saddened” by the incident and asked the community to stand by the families who have lost their children.

“Children are dead. There are families that have a deceased child. You cannot put into words the gravity, the tragic or absolute pain of this situation,” Frey said. 

These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school, they were in a church.

“They should be able to go to school or church in peace without the fear or risk of violence.”

Law enforcement officers gather outside the Annunciation Church's school. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Earlier, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he had been briefed on the incident.

“I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence,” he said, without providing details on potential victims.

US President Donald Trump said he has also been fully briefed on the “tragic shooting”. 

“The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation,” he said, adding that he was praying for everyone involved. 

Pope Leo XIV said he was “profoundly saddened” by a shooting.

There are no words that can capture the horror and tragedy of the unspeakable act of evil at Annunciation Catholic Church. Children have been killed, more are injured, our community is shaken. Right now, our entire city needs to wrap these families in love and support.

— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) August 27, 2025

The pontiff – the first American to head the Catholic Church – sent his condolences to “those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child”, according to a statement put out by the Vatican.

The incident is the latest in a series of shootings in the city in less than 24 hours.

One person was killed and six others were hurt in a shooting yesterday afternoon outside a high school in Minneapolis. Hours later, two people died in two other shootings in the city.

The school shooting also followed a spate of hoax calls about purported shootings on at least a dozen US college campuses.

The bogus warnings, sometimes featuring gunshot sounds in the background, prompted universities to issue texts to “run, hide, fight” and frightened students around the nation as the school year begins.

With reporting from David Mac Redmond, Press Association and AFP