New 911 transcripts reveal fear and chaos during Minneapolis church shooting

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Newly released 911 transcripts have revealed the harrowing moments inside Annunciation Catholic Church on August 27, when gunman Robin Westman opened fire during morning prayers.

The calls, obtained by Fox News Digital, detail the terror, confusion, and quiet heroism of teachers and parishioners who shielded children as shots rang through the church.

Teachers whispered to calm terrified children

As chaos unfolded inside the church, teachers tried to keep the children calm, whispering instructions to stay hidden under pews.

“Dear God, dear God in heaven, there’s some guns in Annunciation Church, on 54th,” parishioner Karen McCann told dispatchers as she crouched beneath a pew. “We’re all crouched down under the — it just happened. We’re crouched under the pews. … It’s a whole bunch of people here. He might be coming in the church again.”

A dispatcher reassured her, saying, “We have so many responders on the way to you.”

The first calls came in around 8.27 am, moments before the school day began. One caller reported hearing “20 gunshots in bursts,” while another described seeing a man “in head-to-toe camo gear” with “black goggles.”

Teachers and staff shielded children under pews and in classrooms

Inside, educators risked their lives to keep children safe.

Fourth-grade teacher Becca Hare told dispatchers, “I don’t know how many people are here, but there are people hurt. Stay down, stay down, OK … I’m going to go help.”

Another teacher, identified as Diane, said she and her aides barricaded a classroom door and took in fleeing students.

“We were downstairs having crackers, and all of a sudden, we heard gunshots. There’s a whole bunch of kids started coming in ’cause they’re running from everywhere,” she said. “We’re in the church basement, locked in the classroom right now.”

Father confirmed children were present inside church

Father Dennis Zehren confirmed to dispatchers that children were still inside the church as the gunman moved toward the south end of the building.

“We need medical assistance ASAP,” one caller said. “We got multiple people have been shot.”

Two children, Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski, were killed, and 18 others were injured, including 15 children. One of them, Sophia Forchas, who was shot in the head, is making a steady recovery.

Witnesses described the gunman in tactical gear

Outside, witnesses described a man in “all-black tactical gear” firing what appeared to be an automatic rifle.

Timothy Barnes, a motorist whose car was struck by bullets, said, “I saw a guy start shooting and my car got hit by bullets.”

The shooter, identified as Westman, later turned the gun on themself.

Police confirmed the gunman's death as a suicide. Investigators have since determined there was “no bias” motivation behind the attack.