Robin Westman Identified in Annunciation Church Tragedy That Claimed Two Children’s Lives
What began as a routine school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis ended in heartbreak on August 27, 2025. A tragic incident during the service left two children dead and many others injured, shattering the sense of peace for students, staff, and families in attendance.
Authorities confirmed that 17 people were affected in total — 14 of them children. The area was quickly secured as emergency responders rushed to aid those inside.
Police later identified the individual responsible as Robin Westman, a woman in her early 20s. Investigators noted that she had previously shared troubling posts online that revealed feelings of emotional pain and isolation. A handwritten note discovered at the scene expressed regret and included an apology to her loved ones.
Inside the church, the chaos unfolded suddenly. Fifth-grader Weston Halse recalled crouching under a pew just feet away from the stained-glass windows. “I was like two seats away,” he said, adding that his relief came only when he was finally reunited with his mother.
Parents described the terror of the search that followed. Carla Maldonado, whose two children were unharmed, spoke through tears: “I’m so grateful my kids are safe… but so incredibly sad that this is the reality our children face in schools.”
In response, President Donald Trump called for a moment of national prayer and ordered U.S. flags to be lowered to half-staff until August 31 in memory of the victims.
As the Minneapolis community mourns, messages of sympathy and support have poured in from across the country. For those most directly affected, the difficult path of healing has only just begun.