Newly released 911 transcripts have laid bare the terror inside a Minneapolis church during a mass shooting in August, which left two children dead and 18 injured. The gunman, Robin Westman, opened fire at the church next to Annunciation Catholic School on the morning of August 27, as children were preparing to pray.
The first emergency calls came at 8:27 am, moments after the initial shots. One caller described hearing 'gunshots all over' and 'must have been 20 all together in a bunch of different bursts.' Another caller reported the suspect was dressed 'in head-to-toe camo gear' with 'black goggles … standing in place next to the church.'
Inside, adults also called for help. A woman pleaded: 'We need, we need medical assistance ASAP. We got multiple people have been shot.' Fourth-grade teacher Becca Hare confirmed injuries and told responders: 'I don’t know how many people are here, but there are people hurt … I’m going to go help.'
Transcripts show operators urging callers to stay hidden while adults tried to keep children quiet under pews. Another teacher, identified only as 'Diane,' described hiding in the basement: 'We were downstairs having crackers, and, all of a sudden, we heard gunshots … We’re in the church basement, locked in the classroom right now.'
The victims were later named as eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and ten-year-old Harper Moyski. Fifteen children aged six to 15 were injured, along with three parishioners in their 80s. The shooting reignited debate over gun laws, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urging: 'Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now, these kids were literally praying.'
Vice President J.D. Vance faced heckling during a visit to the church, with protesters calling him a 'coward' and demanding the Trump administration 'do better' on gun safety.
