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Minneapolis, USA – August 27, 2025 – A devastating mass shooting rocked Annunciation Catholic Church, home to Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a morning Mass on Wednesday. A lone gunman, identified as 28-year-old Robin Westman, a transgender individual who was assigned female at birth but identified and presented as male, fired through the church windows, killing two children—an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old—and injuring 17 others, including three adults. Westman was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, ending the immediate threat but leaving a community in shock and grief.

The attack, which targeted a service attended by schoolchildren and families to mark the school year’s start, has sparked global outrage and renewed debates over gun violence, mental health, and school security. As Africa and the world watch, this tragedy underscores the persistent challenge of protecting vulnerable spaces, even in developed nations.

What Happened?

At approximately 8:20 AM CDT (2:20 PM WAT), Westman, dressed in black tactical gear, approached the church and unleashed a barrage of gunfire from a rifle, shattering windows and striking worshippers inside. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as children hid under pews and parents screamed in terror. A fifth-grade survivor recounted the horror of hearing bullets fly while taking cover. The rifle reportedly bore an anti-Trump message, though motives remain under investigation. Westman, who was Jewish and had a documented history of mental health issues, posted a chilling video online moments before the attack, ranting about “killing the children” with anti-Semitic undertones.

Minneapolis police responded swiftly, arriving by 8:25 AM and confirming the shooter was “contained.” The 17 wounded, including children and adults, were rushed to hospitals, with conditions ranging from minor to critical. By noon, President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags to half-staff, while community vigils formed to mourn the young victims.

Who Was Robin Westman?

Robin Westman, 28, was a resident of Richfield, a suburb near Minneapolis. Born Robert Paul Westman and assigned female at birth, he legally changed his name to Robin in 2019 at age 17, identifying as a transgender male. Westman’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, was a former parish secretary at Annunciation Catholic Church, retiring in 2021, and it is believed Westman attended the school for at least one year. This connection suggests familiarity with the church’s layout, which may have aided the attack’s planning.

Westman had no extensive criminal history, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, but exhibited signs of severe mental distress. Hours before the shooting, Westman uploaded videos to YouTube (since removed) displaying an arsenal of weapons—including a rifle, shotgun, and pistol—and a handwritten manifesto addressed to family and friends. The manifesto referenced suicide, “extremely violent thoughts,” and included a sketch of a church’s interior, though it’s unclear if it depicted Annunciation. Some weapons bore disturbing messages, such as “kill Donald Trump,” “for the children,” and names of other mass shooters, indicating an obsession with school shooting perpetrators like Adam Lanza. The videos also contained anti-Semitic and racist remarks, raising concerns about ideological motivations. Authorities are investigating whether Westman’s mental health struggles, potentially exacerbated by gender dysphoria or online radicalization, contributed to the attack.

Investigation and Context

The FBI has joined local authorities to probe Westman’s motives, with early evidence pointing to a mix of personal grievances, ideological extremism, and possible influence from online echo chambers. Westman’s mental health issues, including delusions, have fueled debates about untreated psychological conditions and the role of transgender ideology in such attacks. Critics argue that Minnesota’s status as a hub for gender-affirming care may attract unstable individuals without sufficient mental health oversight.

This shooting is one of the deadliest school attacks in the U.S. in 2025, adding to over 38 incidents since the 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville. Globally, it raises questions about how societies can protect children from such violence. In Africa, where school safety concerns often differ, this incident highlights the universal need for secure educational environments.

Timeline of Events (CDT, adjusted to WAT)

• 2:00 PM WAT (8:00 AM CDT): Morning Mass begins at Annunciation Catholic Church with students and families present.
• 2:15 PM WAT (8:15 AM CDT): Westman posts a threatening video online, displaying weapons and anti-Semitic rhetoric.
• 2:20 PM WAT (8:20 AM CDT): Westman opens fire through church windows, killing two children and injuring 17.
• 2:25 PM WAT (8:25 AM CDT): Police arrive, confirm shooter’s death by suicide.
• 3:00 PM WAT (9:00 AM CDT): Victims evacuated; injured taken to hospitals.
• 4:00 PM WAT (10:00 AM CDT): Police brief media, confirming casualties and no ongoing threat.
• 5:00 PM WAT (11:00 AM CDT): Shooter identified as Robin Westman; investigation deepens.
• 6:00 PM WAT (12:00 PM CDT): President Trump orders flags lowered; political leaders call for action.
• Afternoon/Evening (Ongoing): Vigils held; global discussions intensify on gun laws, mental health, and school safety.

Reactions and Implications

U.S. political leaders are divided. Democrats, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, demand stricter gun laws, calling rifles “weapons of war.” Conservatives argue for arming school staff and addressing mental health crises, particularly in the transgender community, as a root cause. Social media debates have erupted, with some blaming lax gun laws and others pointing to societal affirmation of mental illnesses like gender dysphoria.

As investigations continue, the world mourns with Minneapolis. The focus now turns to healing, justice, and preventing future tragedies—tasks that demand honest reckoning with complex issues like mental health, ideology, and safety.