The Minneapolis shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on August 27, 2025, received extensive coverage across major broadcast TV networks and cable news channels, reflecting the gravity of the tragedy that killed two children and injured 17 others during a school Mass.
📺Broadcast TV Networks
➤CBS (WCCO-TV): CBS provided immediate and comprehensive coverage through its Minneapolis affiliate, WCCO-TV. A CBS News Special Report aired at 10:30 a.m. EDT, anchored by Nate Burleson and Kelly O’Grady, followed by live coverage of the first press conference at 11:55 a.m., anchored by John Dickerson. WCCO reported on the shooter, a 23-year-old who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and highlighted community responses, including vigils and a local restaurant offering free meals to support those affected. The network also featured personal stories, such as fifth-grader Weston Halsne’s account of his friend Victor shielding him during the shooting. Coverage emphasized the emotional toll, with interviews like that of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Senator Amy Klobuchar discussing the tragedy and gun control.
➤NBC (KARE 11): NBC aired a Special Report at 11:55 a.m. EDT, anchored by Joe Fryer, who noted a personal connection as his mother-in-law had worked at the school. NBC News Now began coverage at 10:30 a.m., simulcasting KARE 11’s live stream. KARE 11 identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman and reported on community vigils, including one organized by Moms Demand Action. The station provided live updates and streaming via KARE 11+, emphasizing local perspectives, such as a state lawmaker’s tribute and the FBI’s investigation into the shooting as a potential act of domestic terrorism and hate crime.
➤ABC (KSTP-TV): ABC’s Minneapolis affiliate, KSTP-TV (5 Eyewitness News), confirmed the shooter’s identity as Robin Westman and provided updates on the investigation. Coverage included details about the community’s response, such as vigils and statements from officials like Governor Tim Walz, who ordered flags at half-staff. KSTP focused on the local impact, including the strain on Hennepin Healthcare, which treated multiple victims.
➤FOX (KMSP-TV): FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul reported the shooting at 10:57 a.m. EDT, noting that the suspect fired through church windows and died by suicide. The station covered official responses, including President Trump’s order to lower flags and Governor Walz’s statements. FOX News Channel also provided live updates, including a press conference and a prayer vigil, emphasizing the tragedy’s impact on the Twin Cities.
📺Cable News Channels
➤Fox News Breaking News and Initial Coverage: Fox News broke the news at 10:36 a.m. EDT during America’s Newsroom, with correspondents Brooke Taylor and Nate Foy dispatched to Minneapolis for live reporting. The network provided frequent updates, including a post at 12:06 p.m. EDT confirming the shooter used multiple weapons (a rifle, shotgun, and pistol) and fired “dozens of rounds.”
Details and Investigation: Fox News identified the shooter as Robin (or Robert) Westman, a 23-year-old who died by suicide, and noted the shooter’s use of three legally purchased firearms. The network reported Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara’s description of the act as a “deliberate act of violence” and “absolutely incomprehensible,” emphasizing the targeting of children during Mass.
Focus on Community and Political Context: Fox News highlighted emotional scenes, such as a mother hugging her son post-shooting, and covered official responses, including President Trump’s order to fly flags at half-staff and Governor Tim Walz’s statement on the tragedy. The network also noted the shooting’s timing during the Democratic National Committee’s summer meeting in Minneapolis, with commentary from Byron York on IngrahamAngle criticizing DNC’s Trump-bashing amid the tragedy.
Additional Angles: Fox News reported on a YouTube video allegedly posted by Westman, mentioning Second Amendment activist Brandon Herrera, who condemned the “hateful and senseless act.” The network also covered Democratic calls for gun control, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and others advocating for stricter laws, framing it as a political response to the tragedy.
➤CNN Breaking News and Deployment: CNN broke the news at 10:22 a.m. EDT during The Situation Room with anchor Pamela Brown. The network sent correspondents Whitney Wild, Shimon Prokupecz, Alicia Wallace, Rob Kuznia, and Arit John to Minneapolis, with CNN Newsource deploying additional reporters (Leigh Waldman, Joel Williams, Ivan Rodriguez, Tessa Carletta).
Investigative Focus: CNN extensively covered the shooter’s identity, Robin Westman, a 2017 Annunciation graduate, and analyzed online content, including YouTube videos showing a “manifesto,” weapons with slurs and political messages (e.g., “kill Donald Trump”), and a notebook with Cyrillic script and references to past school shooters. The network reported the FBI’s investigation into the shooting as domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.
Community Impact: CNN highlighted the tight-knit community’s response, interviewing Annunciation alum Kailee Poling, who spoke tearfully at a Richfield vigil about the tragedy’s impact. The network noted the shooting as the 44th school shooting in the U.S. in 2025 and contextualized it within a wave of Minnesota gun violence, including three other deadly shootings since Tuesday.
Official Responses: CNN covered Governor Walz’s statement calling the shooting a “horrific act of violence” and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara’s remarks on the suspect’s death by self-inflicted gunshot. The network also reported Senator Amy Klobuchar’s emotional account of a staffer’s children being at the school during the attack.
➤MSNBC Breaking News and Anchoring: MSNBC broke the news at 10:23 a.m. EDT with Ana Cabrera at the anchor desk. The network interviewed Senator Amy Klobuchar, who was in Minneapolis and shared a personal story about a staffer’s three children at the school, describing the call as “one of the most upsetting things I’ve ever heard.”
Gun Control Advocacy: MSNBC’s coverage included commentary from Jen Psaki, who criticized President Trump’s D.C. anti-crime policies and dismissed the efficacy of prayer, stating, “Prayer is not freaking enough. Prayers do not end school shootings.” Her remarks, referencing Trump’s National Guard deployment in D.C., sparked controversy, with critics like Virginia House of Delegates candidate Karen Hamilton defending prayer’s role in grief. Psaki’s comments framed the shooting within a broader push for gun control, aligning with Democratic leaders like Klobuchar, who called for stronger background checks and assault weapon bans.
Community and Political Context: MSNBC reported on the Moms Demand Action vigil at Lynnhurst Park, attended by thousands, and highlighted statements from officials like Mayor Jacob Frey and Representative Ilhan Omar. The network noted the Democratic National Committee’s abrupt end to its Minneapolis meeting after the shooting, with DNC chair Ken Martin urging medical professionals to assist.
Analysis Timeliness and Depth: CNN was the fastest to break the news (10:22 a.m. EDT), followed by MSNBC (10:23 a.m.) and Fox News (10:36 a.m.). CNN provided the most investigative depth, particularly on Westman’s social media and motives, while Fox News emphasized breaking updates and political context, and MSNBC focused on personal stories and gun control advocacy.
Political Framing: Fox News highlighted Democratic criticism of Trump’s policies, with commentary framing the DNC’s response as opportunistic. MSNBC leaned into gun control advocacy, with Psaki’s remarks drawing significant attention. CNN took a more neutral investigative approach, focusing on the shooter’s background and community impact.
Context of Gun Violence: CNN and MSNBC explicitly linked the shooting to broader Minnesota gun violence and national school shooting trends, with CNN noting it as the 44th in 2025. Fox News mentioned the local violence wave but focused more on the specific incident and official responses.
➤WCCO Radio (830 AM): As a leading news station in the Twin Cities, WCCO Radio is known for its comprehensive breaking news coverage. WCCO reported on the shooting, including survivor accounts, such as fifth-grader Weston Halsne describing how his friend saved him by shielding him during the attack. WCCO provided live updates, interviews with officials like Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, and community reactions. Their coverage included details about the suspect, Robin Westman, and the ongoing investigation, as well as community vigils held in response.
➤KFAN (100.3 FM): While primarily a sports station, KFAN canceled its live broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair out of respect for the tragedy, indicating sensitivity to the event.