The quiet halls of a Minneapolis church school were shattered by the sound of gunfire — and the desperate cries that followed still echo in haunting 911 recordings.
What began as an ordinary Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School became a scene of unthinkable terror, as dispatchers, teachers, and first responders raced to save lives.
During the school’s morning Mass, the peaceful hum of prayer turned to panic when shots tore through the stained-glass windows of the adjoining church. In the 911 recordings, responders can be heard shouting, “Bring all the gauze you have!” — their voices trembling beneath the chaos.
Two children, just eight and ten years old, were killed. Seventeen others — classmates, teachers, and parish staff — were injured before the gunman, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, took his own life.
Investigators say Westman barricaded the church doors and opened fire from outside, sending the congregation diving for cover. When police finally broke through, they found not only the devastating aftermath but also a chilling look into the shooter’s state of mind.
A recovered manifesto and disturbing video recordings revealed his fixation on past school shootings, deep resentment toward the church, and open hostility toward political and religious figures. They painted the portrait of a man consumed by rage — and desperate to be remembered.
Now, as the community mourns the young lives lost, investigators continue piecing together the fragments of Westman’s motive. The release of the 911 audio offers painful clarity — a raw reminder of the fear that gripped Annunciation Catholic School that morning.
In the echo of sirens and sobs lies a story of heartbreak, heroism, and a nation still struggling to understand why places of learning and worship continue to become scenes of violence. Minneapolis grieves, and the country grieves with it — once again reminded of how fragile safety can be.