# Annunciation Church shooting and aftermath

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/annunciation-church-shooting-and-aftermath
> Updated: 2026-08-24T13:25:07.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

In August 2025, a shooting occurred at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis during an all-school Mass. The attacker, identified as 23-year-old former student Robin Westman, fired a rifle through stained-glass windows, killing two students, Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, and injuring approximately 30 others. Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the church parking lot.

One year later, a 2,600-page law enforcement report was released detailing the police response. The investigation revealed that Westman attempted to enter the church but was unable to do so because the doors were locked. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara noted that the locked doors “likely prevented further casualties,” as the shooter had reportedly planned to barricade the exits.

As the community approaches the one-year anniversary on August 27, 2026, Minneapolis officials and local residents are preparing a Day of Service and Remembrance. Tributes are planned at Pearl Park to honor the victims. The local community has also focused on healing through the establishment of the Annunciation Hope and Healing Fund.

In the wake of the tragedy, Catholic school officials and archdioceses have begun reassessing security protocols. Measures being considered to address vulnerabilities during school Masses include maintaining locked doors and conducting ocular safety checks prior to services.

## Claims

- The shooting occurred on August 27, 2025, during an all-school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church and School. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The shooting killed 8-year-old Fletcher Marks and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Approximately 30 people were injured in the shooting. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the church parking lot. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The tragedy could have been much worse because the church doors were locked. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The shooter fired through stained-glass windows after being unable to enter the building. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The City of Minneapolis is holding a Day of Service and Remembrance to honor the victims. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The shooter planned to barricade the church exits to trap people inside before entering. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A 2,600-page law enforcement report has been released detailing the response to the shooting. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Annunciation Catholic Church shooting anniversary marked in Minneapolis

One year after the Annunciation Catholic Church shooting in Minneapolis killed two children, a new law enforcement report has been released detailing the response to the August 2025 attack.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catholic-schools-implement-new-security-after-minneapolis-church-shooting

### 2026-08-14: Minneapolis to hold remembrance day for Annunciation Church shooting victims

Minneapolis will observe a remembrance day on August 27 to honor the victims of the Annunciation Church shooting, which killed two students and injured 30 others during a Catholic mass.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/minneapolis-to-hold-remembrance-day-for-annunciation-church-shooting-victims

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Cite as: Annunciation Church shooting and aftermath. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/annunciation-church-shooting-and-aftermath