Two young lives were cut tragically short on Wednesday morning when gunfire erupted at Annunciation Church and Catholic School in Minneapolis. Authorities confirmed that students Emily Carlson and Jacob Ruiz were killed in the attack, while 17 others were wounded, many of them children. The shooting occurred during a morning Mass, when students and parishioners were gathered in prayer.
Witnesses described the moment as “chaotic and terrifying,” with children diving beneath pews and teachers desperately trying to shield them from the gunfire.The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, opened fire through the church’s windows before later being found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound behind the building.
Investigators are now working to piece together his motive, combing through his writings, digital footprint, and a troubling letter posted online in which he expressed deep despair and resentment toward life.Adding another layer of heartbreak, officials revealed that Westman’s mother worked at Annunciation Catholic School.
While her role in the school community has not been detailed, the revelation has stunned parents, teachers, and parishioners, raising painful questions about whether the connection influenced her son’s decision to target the church. Authorities stressed that she had no involvement in the attack and is cooperating fully with investigators.Emily Carlson and Jacob Ruiz are being remembered as bright and joyful children whose futures held endless promise.
Vigils are already underway, with flowers, candles, and handwritten notes left outside the church steps. Community leaders, including Governor Tim Walz, have called the tragedy “an unthinkable assault on faith, childhood, and community.”As Minneapolis mourns, counseling and support services are being offered to students and families. The city now faces the long road of healing after a day that has left scars on hearts and memories forever.
