Communities gathered at candlelight vigil after deadly church shooting killed two children in Minneapolis

Communities gathered at a candlelight vigil in Lynnhurst Park, Minneapolis on Wednesday with Minnesota lawmakers urging national action on gun control following a deadly shooting at a Catholic church earlier that day which killed two children and wounded 17 people.

Authorities said the attack was carried out by 23-year-old Robin Westman who carried three guns. He fired through stained-glass windows into the Annunciation Church where an all-school mass was being held to mark the start of the academic year. 

The two children who died were 8 and 10-years-old.

Those who were wounded, 14 of them were students ages 6 to 18 and three parishioners in their 80s.

It sent worshippers diving behind pews for cover while older children scrambled to shield younger ones, officials said. At least two of the church exits were blocked by wooden planks barricaded outside the doors, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said.

Officials said the incident ended when Westman “took his own life” at the rear of the church and added that he did not have a criminal record and appeared to have acted alone. 

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called for stricter gun laws, saying, “We need to think and pray about banning these weapons of war.”

Senator Amy Klobuchar praised the courage of teachers and church staff, adding, “Sixth graders should not have to protect first graders. We should be doing that.” Their presence highlighted the urgent need for both community solidarity and national policy change in response to gun violence.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar also highlighted the need for national legislative action, stating, “You can change whatever laws you want in Minneapolis or Minnesota, but if we do not change the laws of these United States of America, none of our kids are going to be safe.”

Authorities confirmed that the shooting does not appear related to three other incidents in Minneapolis over the past 24 hours, including one at a Jesuit high school.

The vigil brought together local leaders, state officials, and residents to mourn the victims while emphasising the importance of taking action to prevent future tragedies.

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