Documents released one year after the deadly shooting at Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis provide a detailed account of the rapid response by law enforcement and the chaotic aftermath, but offer few new clues about why the attack happened.

The shooting took place on August 27, 2025, when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire during Mass at the Catholic church and school. Eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski were killed, while at least 21 other children and adults were wounded. Westman later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The records, released by Minneapolis city officials following a public records request, include nearly 1,500 photographs and hundreds of pages of witness interviews, evidence reports and accounts from responding officers.

Dispatch records show that officers from Minneapolis and several other state, federal and neighboring law enforcement agencies arrived within minutes of the first report. The first officer reached the scene about three and a half minutes after the shooting was reported.

By the time officers arrived, Westman was already on the ground after shooting himself. Investigators said he had been armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol, as well as knives, smoke bombs and multiple rounds of ammunition.

The records document the extensive crime scene surrounding the church. Investigators recovered shell casings and documented bullet holes in the church, a nearby playground and even the walls and gutters of houses in the surrounding neighborhood.

Officers who entered the sanctuary described a scene filled with injured victims, broken glass and large amounts of blood, along with the smell of gunpowder. Police immediately began treating victims while emergency crews worked to transport them to hospitals.

One officer applied a tourniquet to an adult who had been shot in the leg and was losing blood rapidly. The officer then accompanied the victim to the hospital, where medical staff told him that his actions likely saved her life.

Survivors described the moments when the Mass was suddenly interrupted by gunfire. Some recalled hearing shots outside as windows shattered, while others tried to keep doors closed as they heard people moving outside.

Children told investigators that they hid beneath pews or followed adults to other areas of the church. Preschool teachers described barricading classrooms and attempting to keep children calm and protected while the shooting continued.

The records also describe the confusion among parents searching for their children and school employees searching for family members. One woman told investigators that her husband had taken their child and hidden near an ice machine in the church basement.

Despite the large amount of evidence released, investigators provided little additional information about Westman’s motive.

Authorities had previously said Westman appeared to have been influenced by previous mass shooters and had expressed hateful views toward religions, races and ethnic groups. Investigators found the names of previous mass shooters written on weapons, equipment and ammunition connected to the attack.

A search warrant included information from a dashcam installed in the vehicle Westman drove to the church. Investigators said footage recorded the night before the shooting showed Westman appearing agitated after visiting family and at times crying or sobbing while driving past the church and school.

Police interviews with Westman’s father, former girlfriend, close friend and former co-workers also provided additional details about his life. Several described him as a loner who had struggled with depression.

Some people interviewed said Westman had expressed suicidal thoughts years earlier, but they did not recall seeing signs that he intended to harm other people. His father said he had not seen a reason to believe his child posed a danger before the shooting, although he had noticed that Westman was struggling to eat and had lost a significant amount of weight.

Several relatives declined to speak with investigators, according to the documents.

City officials said additional records and videos could be released in the coming weeks. Some of the documents already made public were redacted to protect victims’ privacy, and authorities did not release photographs or video from inside the church.

SOURCE: Associated Press, Claudia Lauer, Mark Vancleave and Scott Bauer, updated September 25, 2026.