Vigil attendee Elaina Polding, 17, writing on a memorial cross for an eight-year-old child who died Aug. 27 during the Annunciation Church shooting in Minneapolis.

Editor's note: This page summarizes news on the Minneapolis school shooting for Wednesday, Aug. 27. For the latest updates on the shooting at Annunciation Church, visit USA TODAY's coverage for Thursday, Aug. 28.

MINNEAPOLIS − Two children were killed Wednesday and at least 17 people were injured when a shooter fired through the windows of a Minneapolis Catholic Church toward young students worshipping at Mass, authorities said.

The shooting occurred at Annunciation Church, which also houses a school, just before 8:30 a.m., authorities said. The shooter approached the outside of the church building and fired inside toward the children sitting in pews, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said.

The two children killed were ages 8 and 10. Fourteen of the 17 injured were children, and two of them are in critical condition, O'Hara said.

The assailant died at the rear of the church from a self-inflicted wound, according to O'Hara, who said the weapons used in the attack had been purchased legally and recently.

Authorities at an afternoon news conference identified the shooter as Robin Westman, 23. FBI Director Kash Patel said the attack is being investigated as "an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.''

The Mass was in celebration of the first week of school, authorities confirmed. "The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible," O'Hara said.

Developments:

∎ In addition to the 14 injured children, three parishioners in their 80s were wounded in the shooting, O'Hara said.

∎ The school posted a message on Facebook sharing its grief and expressing gratitude to its "heroic staff'' and law enforcement for their efforts to protect the students after the attack began.

∎ The shooting came after at least three other fatal shootings in the city in the last 24 hours that do not appear to be related to the Annunciation incident, O'Hara said.

'Absolutely breaks my heart': Community gathers at vigil for victims

Tears dripped down Rosemary Andrade’s cheeks as she picked up a marker and wrote a message on a cross. The cross is a memorial for the eight-year-old child who died in the shooting. Another cross for the 10-year-old child who died sat next to it.

Andrade, 17, remembers sitting in the pews of Annunciation Church herself. She told the USA TODAY Network on Wednesday that she was a student there for nine years. She said the shooting hit home.

“Knowing I could have been in those benches, that I was once in those benches at that church, praying to God,” Andrade said. “Knowing what happened to those kids, who didn't deserve that, absolutely breaks my heart.”

Andrade is among the many Minnesotans who attended a prayer vigil for the two children. Attendees sat in folding plastic chairs, on bleachers, and stood along the sides to hear Archbishop Bernard Hebda speak in the Academy of Holy Angels High School gymnasium that night.

“I'm not usually that emotional, but I was genuinely shaking,” said Elaina Polding, 17, who goes to youth group at Annunciation Church.

Hebda spoke with the USA TODAY Network after the vigil. As the FBI investigates the attack as "an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics," he stressed the importance of holding onto faith.

"We really have no other choice than to stick to our faith," he said. "That's who we are, and we hope that we're always going to be a community of love that welcomes, but we have to be faithful to who we are."

First lady calls for 'pre-emptive intervention' to identify potential shooters

In a rare statement on X, first lady Melania Trump called for "pre-emptive intervention" to identify "potential school shooters."

"Early warning signs are often evident, with many individuals exhibiting concerning behaviors and making violent threats online prior to their actions," Melania Trump wrote, adding that being aware of those signs and "acting quickly can save lives and make American communities safer."

"To prevent future tragedies, it is crucial we look into behavioral threat assessments across all levels of society—beginning in our homes, extending through school districts and of course, social media platforms," she said.

The first lady also called the shooting a “senseless and depraved violent act,” and shared her condolences for the victims' families and friends.

"There is nothing that anyone can say to make your grief go away, but please know that you are not alone. My thoughts, love, and deepest sympathy are with you during this dreadful time," she added.

Children as young as 6 injured

Earlier on Wednesday, the Hennepin County Medical Center said it received 10 of the most seriously injured victims. Earlier, the hospital reported that it had 11 patients.

Most of the patients were children who ranged in age from 6 to 14, according to Dr. Thomas Wyatt, chair of emergency medicine. Four of the patients required surgery, he said, adding that the area children's hospitals treated some of the other, less critical pediatric patients.

In a later update, the hospital said one adult and five children remained in critical condition. Three other children and another adult were being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Social media statement taken down

At an afternoon news conference, O'Hara referenced online messages from the shooter released Wednesday that were timed to publish during the attack. He said the FBI ordered the YouTube clips to be taken down and was reviewing them.

"This manifesto appeared to show him at the scene and included some disturbing writings," said O'Hara, adding that police have not ascertained a motive.

Asked whether the assailant had attended Annunciation school, O'Hara said investigators haven't confirmed that but are looking into it. According to public records cited by Reuters, Westman's mother, Mary Westman, had been an administrative assistant at Annunciation Church.

Archived versions of the videos from the now-deleted YouTube page show the shooter displaying a handwritten journal and an arsenal of firearms and ammunition. The footage, posted hours before the shooting, alluded to a handwritten note that includes the name Robin Westman. The videos included a handwritten map of the interior of Annunciation Church. The note references severe depression and suicidal thoughts.

The shooter’s firearms were marked with a variety of political slogans in silver marker in both English and Russian. O'Hara said police were processing four search warrants seeking the shooter's motive and had seized other firearms.

Shooter had messages on rifle magazine, DHS chief says

In a post on social media, Homeland Security Kristi Noem said the shooter had the words, "‘For the Children’ and ‘Where is your God?’ and ‘Kill Donald Trump’ on a rifle magazine."

"This level of violence is unthinkable,'' she wrote. "Our deepest prayers are with the children, parents, families, educators, and Christians everywhere."

Longtime neighbor vouches for Westman family as 'great people'

The Westman family home is about half a mile southwest of Annunciation Catholic School. Terry Cole has lived in that same Windom neighborhood for more than 20 years.“We walk around the neighborhood and we can tell you who lives in every house,” Cole said, expressing surprise a member of the Westman family would be involved in such a brutal attack. “They’re great people,” Cole said.As Cole and the neighborhood move forward, the impacted families are top of mind. “It just feels so bad for both of (the victims) and for the families,” Cole said.

Pope Leo sends his condolences to the Twin Cities

Pope Leo XIV sent his “heartfelt condolences” to church leadership in the Twin Cities, according to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Hebda said he received a telegram in which the first American leader of the Catholic Church also expressed "the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child."

The Pontiff commends "the souls of the deceased children to the love of Almighty God" and "prays for the wounded as well as the first responders, medical personnel and clergy who are caring for them and their loved ones,” according to the telegram.

Pope Leo imparted his Apostolic blessing on those impacted by the tragedy as a "pledge of peace, fortitude, and consolation in the Lord Jesus.”

− Amanda Myers

Shooter fired from outside the church

The shooter, who was not immediately identified, fired through church windows from the outside of the building. The attacker may have also gone inside the church, but investigators haven't determined whether the person also fired from inside the building.

The number of rounds fired was "in the dozens," O'Hara said. The shooter is believed to have used three firearms: a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol.

"Children are dead," Mayor Jacob Frey said. "Those families are suffering immense pain right now. Think of this as if it were your own. Every one of us needs to be wrapping our arms around these families, giving them every ounce that we can muster."

Local business went into lockdown, says shooting hits close to home

Hours after Kowalski’s Markets in south Minneapolis opened for the day, Johna Green was standing outside the store when she heard gunshots ring out down the block at Annunciation Catholic School.

“It was very rapid fire, probably like 20 to 30 shots total,” Green told USA TODAY, adding that she hustled her customers inside and the store went on lockdown.

Green said the shooting has hit close to home, particularly because store employees recently lost a loved one to gun violence and have a close relationship with the school. “Those kids come in here every day and get our donuts, we do donations to the school all the time,” she said. “This really hits hard for us.”

Ben Olson, who works down the street at Fixt Rite Auto Repair & Tire Center, said he noticed a handful of squad cars on his way into work, and by 9 a.m. a heavy law enforcement presence had engulfed the area. From his position about a block southwest of the school, he could see crowds of students and parents leaving and hear a helicopter circling overhead.

“We're very concerned. A lot of us here are parents and have young children that are either just about to enter school or are already in school,” Olson said. “And us being kind of a staple in the community here, it’s very concerning because we’re very close with a lot of the neighborhood residents here and have been for quite some time.”

−N'dea Yancey-Bragg

Governor decries 'horrific act of violence'

"I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence," Minnesota Gov. Walz said.

"There is no active threat to the community at this time," the Minneapolis Police Department said in an update earlier Wednesday.

"A man dressed in all black and armed with a rifle was reported at the scene," neighboring Richfield Police said in a social media post.

Students were in their first week of school

Students at Annunciation Catholic School were in their first week back from summer break, according to Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith.

"These kids should not be fearing for their lives," Smith said.

The Annunciation Catholic School has students from preschool through eighth grade, according to its website.

Parents rush to the site of the shooting

Parents were seen rushing to the school amid the chaos. Both parents and students trickled down West Diamond Lake Road as law enforcement officers blocked the street roughly half a mile from the church.

Many law enforcement agencies were on the scene, including the Minneapolis Police Department, State Patrol and the FBI.

Neighbor recalls hearing gunshots

Resident David Gartner texted his neighbor when he first heard what seemed like roughly four spurts of gunfire. “It sounded like a nail gun at first,” Gartner said.

The street was initially calm, and he said the only sign a shooting took place was moments later when police arrived.

Gartner has lived near the border of Minneapolis’ Windom and Tangletown neighborhoods for more than 25 years. He said nothing like this has happened in the immediate area before.

Now he and his neighbors are outside waiting to learn more. “The neighbors are all out checking on each other,” he said.

Interfaith chaplain to parents: 'God is always with you'

Interfaith Chaplain Howard Dotson met with parents and students at the reunification point. Dotson said he arrived at the school around 9:15 a.m. and saw students coloring pictures of hearts.

"I told the children and parents, ‘God’s hedge of protection is around you. God protects your heart and mind. God is always with you,'" Dotson said.

The chaplain said his favorite interaction was with the music teacher, who he said told him students sang songs like “Lord Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary.” Dotson said music and art can help students cope with the shooting. He would like Minneapolis to bolster its use of chaplains in crisis response.

“There’s not enough chaplains,” Dotson said. “We need more chaplains, psychological first aid, because these traumatic incidents keep happening, and people need that emotional, spiritual support immediately.”

Flags at half-staff to honor shooting victims

President Donald Trump ordered all flags on government property to be flown at half-staff as “a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated,” the White House said on X.

The proclamation, which orders flags to be lowered at public buildings, on naval ships and at military posts nationwide and abroad, will be in effect until sunset on Sunday.

− Christopher Cann

Religious leaders express shock and sadness

Local religious leaders were quick to condemn the bloodshed.

"Our hearts are shattered by the horrific act of violence that occurred at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis," Patrick M. Neary, the bishop of The Diocese of Saint Cloud, said in a statement.

He added: "As Catholics, we believe in the dignity of every human life. That dignity is destroyed when violence becomes routine."

The Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict reacted to the shooting in a Facebook post.

"Our hearts grieve with Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis and with the two families who have lost a child," it said. "These acts of violence are horrific, senseless and far too frequent. Lord, have mercy on our world, and be with the students, families, staff and community in this tragic time."

− Teagan King

Annunciation Church rampage is the latest mass shooting in the US

The deadly shooting at Annunciation Church was the 286th mass shooting in the United States, and the latest to rock the city of Minneapolis, according to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive.

The organization defines a mass shooting as an incident in which at least four people are struck by gunfire, not including the shooter. This year, mass shootings have broken out in 43 states and Washington, D.C., the nonprofit says.

Minneapolis has experienced at least six mass shootings this year, data shows, including an incident on Tuesday in which a gunman opened fire on a group of people standing on a sidewalk across the street from a high school, killing one person and injuring six others.

− Christopher Cann

Shooting erupts after at least 3 others in the past 24 hours

The school attack followed within 24 hours at least three other fatal gunfire incidents in Minneapolis, including a mass shooting on Tuesday afternoon in which one person died and six were injured when a gunman opened fire in broad daylight at people standing on a sidewalk.

Two other people were killed in two other shootings in the last day, according to the Minneapolis Police Department. Police said it was unclear whether the first three shootings were related.

"The level of gun violence across the city within the last day is deeply unsettling," O'Hara said in a statement after the third reported shooting early Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Absolutely breaks my heart': Minneapolis community mourns after deadly shooting: Updates

Reporting by Jeanine Santucci, Corey Schmidt, Jorge L. Ortiz and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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