Urgent Update: Minneapolis Church Shooting Claims Two Lives, 17 Injured
MINNEAPOLIS — A shocking shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church during a morning Mass left at least two children dead and injured **17 others** on September 6, 2023. Witnesses describe harrowing scenes as panic ensued when **Robin Westman**, the identified shooter, opened fire before taking his own life.
**UPDATE:** The violence erupted around **9:30 AM**, startling residents and churchgoers alike. Witness Mike Garrity, **64**, who lives across the street, initially mistook the gunfire for construction noise. As he approached, he saw **dozens of children** fleeing the school, some covered in blood. “Don’t go in there,” an adult warned as chaos erupted.
In a chilling account, **10-year-old Weston Halsne** recounted how his friend Victor was shot while he lay on top of him, using active shooter tactics he had practiced at school. “We had never practiced this in church,” Halsne stated to NBC affiliate KARE, highlighting the shocking nature of the event.
Parents and community members rushed to the scene, desperate to reunite with their loved ones. One father, Tyler, received a frantic text from his wife while at work, stating shots had been fired. “I couldn’t get here quick enough,” he told NBC News, expressing his disbelief at the tragedy unfolding at Annunciation.
Nearby resident **Andrew Winchell**, **42**, described the sound of gunfire as a series of rapid “pop, pop, pop” noises that echoed through the neighborhood. As reports of the shooting spread, agents from the **Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)** began investigating the scene, recovering at least one firearm. There are no confirmed details on whether the suspect legally possessed the weapon.
The Rev. Bob Hart, former interim pastor at Annunciation, expressed disbelief, stating, “It’s hard to believe this could happen at a Catholic Mass.” He noted the church and school community had always been tightly knit and supportive.
As the day unfolded, the emotional toll became evident. **Rev. Erich Rutten**, a nearby priest, witnessed parents in profound distress, some “wailing and crying” as they sought solace. He joined them in prayer, asking for divine help amid the tragedy.
This incident marks a grim start to the school year, as the shooting occurred just three days after classes resumed. The community is now grappling with the aftermath, searching for answers and support in the wake of such violence.
As investigations continue and families begin to heal, the Annunciation community remains united in grief and solidarity. Further details will emerge regarding the victims and the circumstances surrounding this devastating event.
Stay tuned for updates as authorities work to uncover more about this tragic incident.
