Annunciation Catholic Church Holds First Sunday Mass Amidst Grief and Resilience Following Deadly Shooting

Minneapolis, MN – Annunciation Catholic Church held its first Sunday Mass on September 1, 2025, since the deadly school shooting that occurred earlier this week, an event televised by Fox News and other outlets. The service, held in the school's auditorium as the church building remains closed for investigation, marked a significant step for a community grappling with profound loss and seeking solace.

The Mass followed a horrific incident on August 27, when a shooter opened fire on the church during a back-to-school service, killing two children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, and injuring 18 others, including 15 children and three adults. The perpetrator, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.

The Minneapolis Police Department and the FBI are investigating the attack as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics. Authorities revealed that Westman, who had no prior criminal record, legally purchased the firearms used and left behind a manifesto expressing hatred towards various groups, including anti-Catholic and anti-religious sentiments. The shooter also displayed an obsession with previous mass shooters.

During the service, Father Dennis Zehren, who was leading the Mass during the shooting, spoke emotionally about the community's shared trauma. "That first bullet came through the window and the voices cried out, 'Down. Down. Get low. Stay down. Stay down. Don’t get up,'" he recounted. He emphasized the importance of coming together for healing, noting that the community had been "eerily restless to come together again."

Archbishop Bernard Hebda echoed these sentiments, highlighting the community's desire to return to familiar rituals as a source of healing. The resilience shown by the parishioners, including the father of one of the slain children attending the Mass, underscored the profound impact of faith in the face of tragedy.

The shooting has sparked renewed calls for action against gun violence from local and state officials. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged for concrete measures beyond "thoughts and prayers," stating, "These kids were literally praying in church and it is on us right now not just to sit back." The community continues to mourn and support the victims and their families, with various funds established to aid in their recovery.