Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic School Leaves at Least 3 Dead, Including Gunman
by Kim Minyoung
Published 28 Aug.2025 06:26(KST)
Updated 28 Aug.2025 06:50(KST)
Two of the Victims Were Students, 17 Receiving Treatment
Suspect Died by Suicide
On August 27 (local time), a shooting occurred at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, resulting in the deaths of three people, including the shooter, and injuring 17 others.
According to Reuters and other sources, at around 8:30 a.m. that day, the suspect, Robin Westman, 23, fired a gun toward the window of a cathedral in southern Minneapolis. Two children, aged 8 and 10, died at the scene, and Westman also died by a self-inflicted gunshot. Seventeen people were injured, including 14 children, and two are currently in critical condition.
The Catholic school where the shooting took place serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade, and this week was the first week of the new school year. The New York Times reported that a Mass attended by all students was scheduled for the morning of the incident.
Brian O'Hara, Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, stated, "The shooter was armed with a rifle, a shotgun, and a handgun, and fired toward the cathedral window." He added, "All the firearms used in the crime were legally purchased." He also reported that at least two entrances to the cathedral were barricaded from the outside.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that it is investigating the incident as a domestic terrorist act and a hate crime against Catholics. Cathy Patel, the FBI Director, mentioned this on her X (formerly Twitter) account, confirming that the shooter was 'Robin Westman,' whose birth name was 'Robert Westman.' Patel also stated, "The FBI will continue to release updates on the investigation as much as possible." Law enforcement officials reported that Westman was a former student at the school and that his mother is a retired staff member.
President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social, "I have been briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota," and added, "The FBI responded quickly to the scene." He continued, "The White House will continue to closely monitor this terrible situation," and asked, "Please join us in praying for everyone affected by this incident."
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