Minneapolis School Shooting: A Disturbing Attack Shocks the US
On 27 August 2025, a 23-year-old transgender shooter attacked a school in Minneapolis, injuring several children. The attacker, known for violent online posts like “Nuke India” and “Kill Trump,” was a
On 27 August 2025, tragedy struck Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during the first week of the new school year. A 23-year-old shooter, Robin Westman, opened fire during morning Mass, when nearly 200 students and parishioners had gathered.
In just two minutes, the attacker fired over 116 rounds, after barricading exits to trap people inside. The violence killed two children, Fletcher Merkel (8) and Harper Moyski (10), and injured 18 others, most of them schoolchildren. The shooter later died by suicide in the church parking lot.
Investigations revealed that Westman, a former student of the school, had spent months planning the attack, keeping secret diaries and recording a video manifesto. She had purchased three guns legally and targeted the Mass after learning of its schedule.
Despite the horror, there were moments of bravery. Teachers shielded students, older children protected the younger ones, and first responders rushed in within minutes. Stories of survival, like 10-year-old Weston Halsne, who lived after a friend shielded him, and 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, who underwent life-saving surgery, show both tragedy and resilience.
The incident has sparked debates in the U.S. about gun laws, mental health, and transgender identity, as the shooter had publicly expressed confusion about her gender and regret over her transition. Mayor Jacob Frey condemned hate speech, stressing the need for compassion while investigations continue.
The Minneapolis community now faces a long recovery, mourning young lives lost in a place that should have been safe.
