President Donald Trump issued a statement in response to the shooting at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Three people were killed on Wednesday morning after 23-year-old Robin Westman stormed a Catholic church in Minneapolis, unleashing terror on a school of children.
Two children, 8 and 10, were killed in the pews they sat in before the attacker turned the gun on themself.
‘I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social in response to the horrible tragedy.
‘The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!’
Later in the afternoon, the president ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims.
Trump called the shooting a ‘senseless act of violence’ and urged prayers for victims.
‘As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff,’ Trump’s proclamation read.
President Donald Trump listens during a meeting at the White House
President Donald Trump ordered flags to be lowered in respect to the victims of the shootings
Parents await news of their children’s status after a shooting at Annunciation Church
Flags on top of the White House and the large flag newly installed on the front lawn were lowered shortly after the president’s proclamation.
Vice President JD Vance also responded to the shooting in a post on social media.
‘We’re at the WH monitoring the situation in Minneapolis. Join all of us in praying for the victims!’ he wrote, prior to his scheduled lunch with the president.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also reacted to the news on social media.
‘Our federal agents are on the scene of the horrific shooting at the Annunciation Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota,’ she wrote.
‘My prayers are with everyone involved in this tragedy. Our team will provide updates as we receive them.’
FBI director Kash Patel also signaled that the FBI was involved with the response to the shooting.
‘FBI agents are on scene, and we ask everyone to keep potential victims, civilians or law enforcement in harm’s way in your prayers,’ he wrote.
The shooter who opened fire in the church has been identified as Robin Westman, 23, formerly known as Robert.
The students at the Catholic grade school were attending Mass when the shooter attacked the church.
Westman shot through stained glass windows at the children sitting on the pews inside Annunciation Catholic School’s church before turning the gun on himself.
The shooter who opened fire in the church has been identified as Robin Westman, 23, formerly known as Robert
Police enter the alleged suspect’s house in south Minneapolis near the scene of an active shooter
Parents comfort their children after a shooting at Annunciation Church
Two children aged eight and 10 were killed in the shooting attack.
Seventeen other victims, including 14 children and three adults were injured, authorities said.
Seven of the victims are in critical condition.
Westman brought three guns to the scene – a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, all which were fired, according to police.