On the morning of August 27, 2025, a horrific attack struck the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During a Mass to mark the first week of school, a 23-year-old shooter opened fire through the church’s stained-glass windows, targeting children and parishioners inside. Two students, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, were killed while seated in the pews, and 18 other people were injured, including 15 children (as young as 6) and three elderly adults. Amid the chaos and heartbreak, the tragedy also revealed both the effectiveness of certain safety measures and the painful gaps in security. Below, we summarize what is known about the incident, analyze what went right and wrong in the safety response, and reflect on how such tragedies might be prevented in the future from a ProtectED security perspective.

What Happened

Shortly before 8:30 a.m., as students and teachers attended a morning Mass in the church, a lone assailant armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol approached the side of the building. The shooter, dressed in black, began firing dozens of rounds through the church’s windows into the congregation. Bullets tore through the stained glass, striking children and adults who had been gathered in prayer. Witnesses recall the confusion and terror as the barrage of gunfire erupted without warning. Neighbors later reported hearing so many shots that at first they couldn’t believe it was real gunfire.

Inside the church, the scene was desperate. Students dove for cover and staff members sprang into action to protect the children. Within seconds of the first shots, “heroic staff moved students under the pews,” according to a statement by the school. This quick thinking likely saved many lives. The shooter continued to fire multiple weapons, expending well over a hundred rounds. Investigators later recovered 116 rifle shell casings and several shotgun shells at the scene.

Police received the first 911 calls and rushed to the church within minutes, arriving even as the attack was still unfolding. By the time officers gained control, the shooter had taken their own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The ordeal was over within minutes, but its devastation was profound. Two young students lost their lives, and over a dozen more children and adults were injured – though thankfully, all of the injured victims were expected to survive after receiving prompt medical care. Shocked and grieving, the Annunciation school community and the entire city of Minneapolis were left reeling in the aftermath.

In the hours that followed, authorities began to piece together information about the perpetrator. The FBI identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who had no significant criminal history and is believed to have acted alone. Westman was heavily armed and carrying a rifle, a handgun, and a shotgun, all of which had been purchased legally in recent months. Early investigations indicated the attack was a “deliberate act of violence” possibly motivated by hate: federal officials are treating it as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting the Catholic community. A disturbing YouTube video, posted by the suspect on the morning of the shooting, was discovered and taken down by law enforcement; in it, the shooter flipped through pages of notes with hand-drawn maps of a church and sketches of weapons. This suggests the attack was planned in advance, though as of now no clear motive has been confirmed by police. Investigators executed multiple search warrants at locations associated with the suspect, uncovering writings, electronics, and additional firearms as they worked to understand how and why this tragedy occurred.

As emergency responders secured the scene, attention turned to caring for survivors and reuniting families. The injured were rushed to local hospitals, and parents were directed to a reunification point at the adjacent school building to find their children. Students who had been inside the church were safely evacuated “in a matter of minutes when it was safe to do so,” and many were brought to the school gym to await their parents and receive support. Tearful reunions unfolded outside police barricades as relieved parents embraced their children, thankful that so many survived the horrifying attack. The community’s nightmare had lasted only a short time, but it underscored how every second counts during such incidents, and how critical it is for schools and staff to be prepared for the unthinkable.

What Went Right

Even in an event as devastating as this, there were aspects of the emergency response that worked as intended and undoubtedly prevented an even greater loss of life. As security professionals, we recognize the following positive elements that emerged from the Annunciation school shooting:

• Rapid Staff Response: Teachers and staff reacted immediately when gunfire began. Without waiting for instructions, they instinctively ushered students to the floor and under the wooden pews to shield them. This swift action in the first seconds of the attack provided children with cover and made them less visible targets. It appears that school employees followed their active shooter training (lockdown and shelter procedures) to the letter, and their calm leadership helped keep students as safe as possible in a chaotic moment. In fact, one fifth-grade student noted that his classmates “immediately hid under a pew” as shots rang out which may have been a reaction that likely came from drilled emergency protocols turned into muscle memory.

• Effective Lockdown of Entrances: A crucial security practice likely saved many lives: the church had a routine of locking its doors once the Mass began. Because of this, the gunman was unable to enter the building. Instead, the shooter was forced to fire from outside, through the glass windows. Preventing the assailant from gaining entry bought precious time and kept the attacker at a relative distance from the children and staff. Minneapolis officials acknowledged that this simple protocol “likely prevented a worse incident.” In past school shootings, unlocked doors have allowed attackers to roam inside—here, the secured doors confined the threat to the perimeter, limiting the potential carnage.

• Prompt Law Enforcement & EMS Response: Minneapolis police officers were on the scene within minutes of the first emergency call. Their rapid arrival helped secure the area quickly and ensured no secondary threats or additional attackers could harm more people. Although the shooter died by suicide before police intervention, a fast police response is still vital to stop an attack or render aid. Equally important, emergency medical services and other first responders reacted swiftly. Paramedics and EMTs were able to treat and transport the wounded in time, which was likely a factor in the 100% survival rate of the injured victims. In mass casualty events, minutes matter for trauma care, and the coordination between police, fire, and medical teams in Minneapolis “worked” in the sense that all surviving victims were stabilized and rushed to hospitals, preventing further loss of life.

• Orderly Evacuation and Reunification: Despite the chaos, school and church staff managed to execute an evacuation once the shooting stopped, moving students out of harm’s way in an organized manner. Children were escorted to the school gymnasium, a pre-designated safe area, where they waited under supervision for reunification with their families. This reflects prior planning – the school had an emergency reunification plan and the presence of mind to use it. By having a controlled location for students to assemble, staff avoided the nightmare of children fleeing in every direction. Parents were directed to the school (at a separate address) for reunification, which prevented confusion at the crime scene. Within a short time, families and loved ones reunited outside the police barricades in a fairly orderly process. The existence of a reunification process (and likely communication to parents via alerts or calls) was a bright spot in an otherwise terrible day because it ensured that parents and children could find each other as smoothly as possible, and it kept additional people out of the danger area while authorities did their work.

• Community and Staff Heroism: Many individuals showed presence of mind and courage under extreme pressure. School staff not only protected children, but also reportedly evacuated everyone within minutes once it was safe. Neighbors and bystanders also jumped in to help. For example, a local man ran toward the church upon hearing the shots and helped comfort and aid wounded children as they were brought out. This kind of community solidarity and quick thinking isn’t a formal “protocol,” but it’s certainly a factor that went right. People did the best they could in an awful situation, and some likely avoided fatal injuries thanks to these fast and selfless actions.

What Went Wrong

Sadly, the incident also exposed several areas where systems and safeguards failed or where better precautions might have reduced the harm. As we analyze this tragedy, it’s important to candidly assess what went wrong or what vulnerabilities the shooter exploited:

• Perimeter Vulnerabilities (Windows and Exits): The attacker took advantage of the school church’s physical vulnerabilities like the large stained-glass windows and the entry/exit points. The windows, while beautiful, were not fortified to resist gunfire. They allowed the shooter to fire directly into a room full of children. In a secure facility, one might have shatter-resistant or bullet-resistant glass or at least fewer line-of-sight access points to large gatherings. Additionally, the shooter attempted to barricade at least one door from the outside, apparently to trap victims inside. This tactic has been seen in previous attacks and can be deadly, as it hinders evacuation. The fact that an exterior door could be blocked by an outsider suggests a design or protocol weakness. For instance, perhaps doors opened outward and lacked preventative measures like outward opening crash bars or patrols to keep exits clear. While the locked doors kept the killer out, the inability to easily exit (due to the barricade) could have been catastrophic if, say, a fire was started. Fortunately, in this case people found other ways out, but the facility’s perimeter security and design clearly had exploitable gaps that the shooter knew about and leveraged.

• Lack of Early Threat Detection: There was no forewarning of the attack at the school itself. The shooter was able to approach the building with multiple firearms without being detected or challenged until the shooting began. It appears there were no security personnel or surveillance systems monitoring the exterior of the church that morning. A single determined individual with weapons had free access right up to the building’s windows. This lack of an early detection or intervention opportunity is a common challenge at schools and churches. Unless someone spots a suspicious person and calls 911 before shots are fired, there may be little time to react. In this case, by the time anyone recognized the threat, the attack was already in progress. The first clues about the shooter’s intentions (the YouTube video/manifesto) were only discovered after the fact. This indicates that any behavioral warning signs or leaked plans were missed or not acted upon in time. Whether the suspect’s online activity could realistically have been caught is debatable, but certainly no report or tip reached authorities beforehand. In a perfect world, someone noticing the shooter’s disturbing preparations might have alerted police and possibly prevented the attack. Unfortunately, that did not happen here which is representing a failure of “see something, say something” or of intelligence-gathering to preempt the violence.

• Insufficient On-Site Security Measures: The incident highlights that there were likely no armed security officers or school resource officers present at Annunciation during the mass. While many elementary schools (especially private religious schools) do not have on-site law enforcement, the absence of any immediate armed response meant the shooter met no resistance until police arrived. If a security officer or trained armed staff had been present, there’s a chance the shooter could have been engaged or deterred earlier. Additionally, other protective measures seem to have been lacking: for example, modern school security programs often use technology like gunshot detection sensors or panic alarm systems to instantly trigger lockdown alerts. There’s no indication such systems were in place or activated. It appears the alarm was raised by phone and the teachers themselves took action manually. Communication delays can cost precious seconds. In this case, teachers acted fast on their own, but one can imagine if people had been less alert, the lag in warning could have led to more casualties. Overall, the security infrastructure at the school was minimal – a fact the shooter exploited by choosing an easy target (a morning mass with children, in a publicly accessible church building, with no security presence).

• Shooter’s Planning and Arsenal: The systems also failed to prevent the shooter from acquiring a small arsenal of weapons and planning the assault unhindered. In hindsight, the shooter’s ability to legally purchase multiple firearms (including a high-powered rifle and a shotgun) shortly before the attack points to gaps in the broader safety net. There were no legal flags or blocks to stop those purchases, and no one in the community knew of the danger. The attacker’s detailed planning illustrated by a written manifesto and maps of the church, went unnoticed by any threat assessment process. This is not a direct failure of the school’s protocols (the individual wasn’t a current student or staff member, though notably the suspect’s mother had once worked at the school). Rather, it’s a systemic shortcoming in our society’s ability to identify violent actors before they strike. The school and law enforcement simply had no advance warning. In terms of physical security, the shooter’s preparation meant they knew exactly when and where to attack for maximum impact (targeting a mass gathering). This kind of determined, well-armed attacker is extremely hard to stop once they are in motion. It’s an uncomfortable truth that even a robust security plan can be overwhelmed by such an attack if preventive layers don’t catch warning signs early.

• Emotional Trauma and Chaos: While not a “failure” of protocol per se, it’s worth noting the immense psychological toll and confusion that an event like this creates. Even with good plans, a mass shooting is always chaotic. Children and adults were terrified, some injured and in shock, and initial information was fragmentary. There were reports of panic and confusion as people tried to understand what was happening. No matter how well prepared a school is, the human factor: shock, fear, and confusion can lead to missteps. We do not have reports of major mistakes in the Annunciation response, but it’s possible that in the fog of the moment some plans (like using a PA system or alert app) couldn’t be executed. This is a reminder that training and drills must account for high stress and that simplicity and clarity in emergency plans are essential (so people can perform even under duress). Thankfully, at Annunciation the staff kept their heads and followed through with hiding and evacuation. However, the sheer trauma suffered by the community underscores that any gaps in mental health support or emergency communication in the aftermath would be an area of concern (the city thankfully mobilized counseling resources immediately). In short, while the immediate security response was largely heroic, the prevention and preparation phase fell short – allowing a heavily armed individual with hateful intent to wreak havoc on an otherwise peaceful school day.

Preventing Future Tragedies: A ProtectED Perspective

In the wake of this tragedy, it’s natural to ask: What can we do to prevent or mitigate such attacks in the future? While no single solution will eliminate the threat of school shootings, a comprehensive and proactive approach to school safety can vastly improve the odds of both preventing attacks and minimizing harm if one occurs. As school security professionals, we at ProtectED believe that the lessons from the Annunciation shooting reinforce the importance of a holistic, layered safety strategy. Here are some key takeaways and preventive measures, informed by how ProtectED works:

• Comprehensive Emergency Planning: Schools must have a thorough, up-to-date safety plan that covers a wide range of scenarios, not just classroom shooters, but incidents in spaces like churches, gyms, or during events. This plan should include detailed emergency protocols for lockdowns, evacuations, shelter-in-place, and reunification after an incident. In the Annunciation case, the fact that staff had a reunification point (the gym) and evacuated students safely was a result of prior planning. Every school should develop and practice a plan for scenarios when students are outside the typical classroom (for example, at a school Mass or assembly). ProtectED’s approach is to build these protocols for every scenario and tailor them to each campus, so that no matter when or where an emergency strikes, there is a playbook in place.

• Regular Training and Drills: A plan on paper isn’t enough. It must be rehearsed until it becomes second nature. The quick actions by Annunciation teachers show the value of training: those adults knew what to do under pressure, which suggests they had some form of active shooter response training or drills. We advocate for regular staff and student training, including drills and tabletop exercises, so that reactions in a crisis are automatic. This includes training substitute teachers, volunteers, and support staff as well, since an emergency can occur anytime (even during a Mass with parent volunteers or clergy present). ProtectED provides live or recorded training sessions and guided drills to ensure everyone on campus knows their role and can act swiftly. The goal is to turn plans into instincts – just as we saw teachers immediately herding kids under pews, every staff member should reflexively know the safest actions to take.

• Physical Security Enhancements: Schools and affiliated facilities (like churches or auditoriums used by students) should be assessed for security weaknesses. In this case, exterior windows allowed direct access to victims; moving forward, schools might consider measures like shatter-resistant window film, ballistic glass installation in high-risk areas, or even simply keeping children away from window lines of sight during drills and events. Additionally, controlling access to the campus is paramount. This could involve keeping exterior doors locked during school hours (a practice that did help at Annunciation), using electronic access control, and ensuring that during large events there is some form of monitoring of the perimeter. Even simple steps like having a staff member or security guard stationed at a door can deter attackers or at least provide early warning. ProtectED emphasizes doing a safety audit of the campus to uncover gaps like unsecure entrances or lack of camera coverage. By hardening targets within reason and without turning schools into fortresses, we can make it harder for intruders to carry out an attack or slow them down enough for law enforcement to intervene.

• Improved Detection and Intervention: Prevention often starts long before an attacker reaches the school. This means fostering a culture and systems where threats can be identified and addressed early. Schools should have a Threat Assessment Team and protocols for students, parents, or community members to report concerning behavior. In this incident, the shooter was an outsider, but there were still potential indicators (online postings, hateful rhetoric) that ideally could have raised alarms. Law enforcement and schools need better tools to monitor and share information about individuals who may pose a danger. While a small private school would likely not have intel on a random 23-year-old, a tighter collaboration with law enforcement and community could help. Encouraging the community “if you see something, say something” is vital, as is educating people on recognizing pre-attack warning signs (threatening statements, fascination with violence, etc.). From a ProtectED standpoint, we incorporate training on recognizing and reporting threats, and we advise schools on establishing clear channels to do so. Early intervention, such as guiding a troubled individual to mental health services or alerting police to a brewing threat, is one of the few ways to truly prevent a shooting before it happens.

• Enhanced Communication Systems: The chaos of an active shooter situation demands instant communication. Schools should utilize technology like public address systems, mobile emergency apps, panic buttons, or mass text alert systems to immediately notify the entire campus of a threat. It’s not clear if Annunciation had time to broadcast a lockdown alert, but in many cases an automated alert can save lives by triggering a lockdown even in areas where shots haven’t been heard. Communication is also critical for law enforcement response. Calling 911 quickly (which was done here) and relaying accurate information helps responders. After the incident, having pre-written parent communication templates can be extremely helpful. In the aftermath at Annunciation, authorities and the school communicated where parents should go and later updates were provided by city officials. Schools can prepare those messages in advance so that in the heat of the moment, they can send out clear, calming instructions to parents without delay. ProtectED provides communication templates for during and after emergencies so that administrators aren’t writing messages in a panic. By streamlining communication, we reduce confusion and help everyone respond in a coordinated way.

• Community Partnerships and Drills with First Responders: Another preventive measure is conducting joint exercises and building relationships with local police, fire, and EMT services. If first responders are familiar with a school’s layout and emergency plans, they can react more effectively. Minneapolis authorities’ quick action and the coordination of multiple agencies (city police, state troopers, FBI, etc.) in the aftermath showed strong agency partnership. Schools can invite police to walk through their campus and even participate in lockdown drills. This not only helps responders in a real crisis but can also serve as a deterrent (would-be attackers might be less inclined to target a school they know is well-prepared and closely connected with law enforcement). ProtectED encourages schools to engage in such collaborative safety planning and even helps facilitate those connections as part of a complete safety program that is maintained year-round.

• Continuous Improvement and Auditing: School safety isn’t a one-and-done checklist, it requires ongoing evaluation. Threats evolve, staff change, and complacency can set in over time. One thing that went wrong in this tragedy is that nobody imagined such an attack at that moment and place. To combat complacency, schools should regularly audit and update their safety measures. This can include periodic reviews of protocols, surprise drills, and assessing new threats (for example, if there’s a rise in hate crimes, a school linked to a religious institution might heighten its alertness). At ProtectED, we build in ongoing support and audits and schedule regular check-ins and updates so that a school’s safety plan stays current and no “cracks” develop over time. After incidents like this, it’s crucial for all schools to revisit their own plans and ask, “Could we handle that scenario? What can we do better?” The lessons learned must be integrated into future training and planning.

• Strengthening the Human Element: Finally, preventing future tragedies involves care and vigilance for the human beings on campus. This means providing mental health resources and fostering a supportive environment where students (and staff) feel safe to speak up about concerns. It also means preparing to support a community after a crisis, which indirectly helps prevention. A community that heals and remains resilient is less likely to see copycat events or lingering traumas. In Minnesota, officials set up counseling resources immediately after the shooting and the community came together to grieve and support each other. Schools should include in their safety planning the “aftercare” for trauma. By doing so, we acknowledge that safety isn’t just about stopping bullets; it’s about nurturing an environment where fear and rumors don’t run rampant. A well-supported school community can more effectively watch for and intervene in potential threats, because people trust each other and communicate. ProtectED’s philosophy of a complete safety program encompasses this broad view from prevention, to crisis response, to recovery and it's all maintained with expert guidance so that schools are never alone in this effort.

Conclusion: The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School was a heartbreaking reminder of the threats our schools face, but it also highlighted how lives are saved when preparation meets courage. The things that went right that day (rapid lockdown actions, locked doors, swift coordination) aligns with practices that every school should strive for. What went wrong shows us where we must do better, from physical security upgrades to earlier intervention in the pathway to violence. As security experts and as a community, we owe it to our children to study these events deeply and apply every lesson. By implementing comprehensive safety programs like ProtectED and fostering a culture of vigilance and care, we can honor the victims through action. Our mission is to ensure that schools are not only places of learning, but sanctuaries of safety. We cannot erase the pain of what happened in Minnesota, but we can work tirelessly to prevent the next tragedy and to be ready, just in case. Together, let’s make our schools as protected as possible, so that every child can learn and grow without fear.