286 Mass Shootings in the U.S. This Year Amid Minneapolis Tragedy
On August 27, a tragic shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, left two children dead and 17 others injured, with the shooter identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, reports 24brussels.
The FBI Director, Kash Patel, confirmed that the deceased victims were aged 8 and 10, while the injured included 14 children and 3 adults. Armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, Westman opened fire on students attending Mass before taking his own life in the church’s rear, as stated by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
O’Hara noted that Westman had no significant criminal history. The investigation uncovered a manifesto that the shooter intended to release on YouTube, which included unsettling writings. The FBI has since taken down the content, and it remains under review.
Westman was previously enrolled at Annunciation Catholic School, where his mother was noted for her hospitality in a 2021 Facebook post. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz publicly offered support to the school, stating, “I’m praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence.”
Mayor Frey added, “All of our kids should be able to go to school or church or anywhere without the fear of gun violence.” The Minneapolis shooting marked the fifth planned school shooting involving active shooters in the United States in 2025.
As of now, there have been 286 mass shootings in the U.S. this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as any incident involving the shooting of four or more individuals, excluding the perpetrator.
