US EditionRibbons for Annunciation Church Bind a Wider Community in Mourning
Following the Aug. 27 shooting, Twin Cities Catholic churches have increased security with locked doors, guards, and community events to support affected families.
- On August 27, 2025, a mass shooting took place during an all-school Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School chapel in Minneapolis, where students and their families had gathered.
- Robin Westman, a 23-year-old former student, discharged over 100 rounds through the church windows from outside before ultimately ending his own life nearby.
- Two children aged 8 and 10 were killed, 18 other students between 6 and 15 and three adults in their 80s were wounded, and locked doors likely prevented more casualties.
- The Bows of Love initiative, led by organizer Sarah Henning, mobilized over 1,000 volunteers who created more than 20,000 ribbon bows to show sustained community support and healing.
- In response to the Annunciation shooting, numerous Catholic churches in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area have strengthened security measures by securing entrances, employing security personnel, and coordinating with law enforcement to protect attendees.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Ribbons for Annunciation Church bind a wider community in mourning
MINNEAPOLIS — For blocks stretching out from Annunciation Catholic Church and School, trees and light posts are hugged by blue and green ribbons. Just days after the shooting, volunteers took action to literally wrap support around the grieving community. While national media attention has turned elsewhere, the momentum in Minneapolis hasn’t slowed down. “The goal is, after just unimaginable, tragic heartbreak, how do we overwhelm it with love?”…
Ribbons for Annunciation Church bind up a wider community in mourning
For blocks stretching out from Annunciation Catholic Church and School, trees and light posts are hugged by blue and green ribbons. Just days after the shooting, volunteers took action to literally wrap support around the grieving community.
Archdiocese provides private space for Annunciation families after traumatic shooting
A therapy dog provides a light moment at a counseling site the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis set up for Annunciation families impacted by the Aug. 27 shooting at an all-school Mass in the Minneapolis church. JOSH MCGOVERN | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT Since Aug. 28, counselors, priests and deacons, therapy support dogs and even bunnies have been available to members of the Annunciation community directly impacted by the Aug. 27 shooting at an …
Annunciation shooting survivor answers God's call to heal and lead
MINNEAPOLIS (OSV News) — Ellie Mertens huddled under a pew at Annunciation church in Minneapolis on the morning of Aug. 27 as a barrage of bullets screamed past her, mere inches from her head. She had arrived a few minutes late for the 8:15 a.m. all-school Mass as the new school year began at Annunciation Catholic School. After walking in, she went toward the front section of the church on the left side. As always, she wanted to be with the stud…
Here We Go Again
Here we go again. Another place of safety turned into a crime scene. More proof that no business, school, or house of worship is off-limits to attackers. On August 27, tragedy struck at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis during a school-wide Mass. A 23-year-old former student, Robin Westman, arrived armed with a rifle and opened fire from outside, shooting more than 100 rounds through the windows into pews filled with children, teacher…
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