Minneapolis School Shooting Records Show Swift Rescue, Sparse Motive Clues

A year after a gunman opened fire at a Minneapolis Catholic school, newly released documents paint a detailed picture of the chaotic aftermath and the rapid law enforcement response, but they offer few definitive answers about the shooter's motive.

The files, made public this week, show that officers from Minneapolis and several other agencies arrived at Annunciation Church and School within minutes of the first report. Dispatch records indicate the first responders reached the scene about three and a half minutes after the initial call, finding the gunman already on the ground with a self-inflicted wound.

The attack on August 27, 2025, claimed the lives of 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski. More than 20 other children and adults were wounded before the shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, died by suicide.

Officer accounts describe a harrowing scene inside the sanctuary: victims scattered across pews, significant blood loss, broken glass, and the lingering smell of gunpowder. Responders immediately began triaging the wounded, applying pressure to wounds and using a tourniquet on an adult shot in the leg in the parking lot. One officer who accompanied that victim to the hospital was later told he likely saved her life.

Survivors' statements included in the documents recount the terror of the moment. Many described sitting in Mass when they heard gunfire from outside and saw windows shatter. One person held the inner church doors shut as the outer doors rattled. Children told officers they hid under pews, while preschool teachers described barricading classrooms to keep their students safe.

The records also capture the frantic search by parents for their children and spouses, including one woman who said her husband had hidden with their child near an ice machine in the basement.

While the nearly 1,500 photos and hundreds of pages of interviews and evidence catalog the event, they provide little insight into Westman's motivations. Investigators have previously noted Westman's apparent hatred and admiration for past shooters, with names written on weapons and gear. The new documents add some detail, including dashcam footage showing Westman appearing agitated and sobbing in the days before the attack.

Interviews with family and acquaintances describe Westman as a loner prone to depression. While some mentioned past suicidal thoughts, they said they saw no signs of violence. Westman's father noted his child had been struggling to eat and had lost weight but said he saw no reason for concern.

City officials have indicated that more documents may be released in the coming weeks, with many current files redacted to protect victims' privacy.