On Wednesday morning, students at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis were running slightly late for their first Mass of the school year. Cathrine Spandel, who was present at the church, recalled checking her watch—it was 8:18 AM, three minutes past the scheduled start time of 8:15 AM. As students filed into the church, one was admonished for not genuflecting before entering the pews.
Spandel attended the service for both the Mass and the fellowship that typically follows. However, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered when gunfire erupted shortly after the congregation completed the psalm "You Have Searched Me and You Know Me, Lord." Initially mistaking the shots for firecrackers, Spandel soon recognized the horrifying reality of a shooting. "Even before the principal yelled, 'Get down!' I flew to the ground," she recounted.
This tragic incident resulted in the deaths of two young children: 10-year-old Harper Moyski and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, who was seated just four pews in front of Spandel. In total, eighteen others were injured, including three elderly parishioners in their 80s and 15 children, according to authorities. The shooting has deeply affected the community surrounding Annunciation Catholic School, which has been a cornerstone for generations of families.
Spandel, an alumnus of the school who graduated in 1973, remains an active member of the parish. Another parent, Annique London, expressed her sorrow, noting that her three daughters have attended Annunciation. One of her daughters even went to school with the shooter, Robin Westman, though they were not well-acquainted. "For some families that have grown up here, grandparents, parents, and kids of those parents go to school here and worship here," London told NPR.
As the violence unfolded, Tiffany Tomlin-Kurtz, a local resident living near the school, was starting her workday at home when she heard the shots. Rushing outside, she witnessed a mother running towards the school and into the path of active gunfire. "I've got an image that I will never forget," Tomlin-Kurtz shared, her voice trembling.
Inside the church, Spandel reached for the children’s pastoral minister, who was also taking cover under a pew two rows ahead of her. As they faced each other, they prayed the Hail Mary together, both in tears. "I asked God for absolution from all my sins. I asked Him to protect my family because I was certain that I was going to die," Spandel recalled, expressing the sheer terror felt in that moment.
Although the shooter never entered the church, he fired through the windows, circling the building, as explained by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. Spandel described the scene, saying, "There were shells near me, broken lead glass, and wood from the window frames. It seemed like it went on forever." Amid the chaos, older children and adults instinctively shielded the younger kids, demonstrating incredible bravery.
During the turmoil, Spandel prayed over an injured girl who had sustained a head wound. "They triaged her number one, got her right out to the ambulance. She is alive and expected to recover, but there could be long-term effects," Spandel noted, highlighting the grave consequences of this tragic event.
The shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church has left a deep scar on the community, bringing to light the urgent need for discussions around gun violence and community safety. As families mourn the loss of young lives, the quest for healing and understanding continues.
