Minneapolis Catholic school shooting prompts increased patrols at Long Island churches, schools

Police on Long Island are ramping up security at houses of worship and schools following a shooting Wednesday during a Catholic school Mass in Minneapolis that left two children dead and 17 others injured.

The shooter, identified as Robin Westman, opened fire through the windows of the church during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School, according to authorities. Two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed in the church pews. In addition, 14 other children and three adults were injured. Police believe Westman, 23, who was armed with a rifle, shotgun and pistol, later died by suicide.

FBI Director Kash Patel released a post on X stating the shooting is being investigated “as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.”

While there is no known threat on Long Island or in New York City, Nassau and Suffolk police both have increased patrols at local religious institutions and schools, according to a Suffolk police spokesperson and Chris Boyle, a spokesman for Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. The NYPD also is dispatching more resources, particularly to churches, a spokesperson said.

The shooting comes as most schools on Long Island are gearing up to start classes. On Wednesday morning, Jericho schools were the first to officially open.

John Barres, bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, said in a statement Wednesday he was praying for the victims and their families as the violence "weighs heavily on our hearts." Barres added that safety remains a top priority for the diocese, which oversees more than three dozen schools in Nassau and Suffolk.

Bishop Robert Brennan, who leads the Diocese of Brooklyn, called the shooting "pure evil" in a statement, stressing that local schools have protocols in place.

"As we are gearing up for the start of school next week, we remain vigilant. Our schools and parishes have individual safety plans based on their buildings. We are blessed to always have the help of the New York City Police Department," Brennan added.

'We've done everything we can'

On Wednesday afternoon, some school officials on Long Island sought to reassure parents that children’s safety is always top of mind.

Sister Kathryn Schlueter, principal of Our Lady of the Hamptons School in Southampton, said the school’s communication and emergency system has improved over the years. She also credited the local police for their work.

“We have a wonderful local police force, an emergency system. We're really constantly being protected by that. I think we've pretty much done all the security checks, locks and things like that,” Schlueter said in a brief phone interview. “We've done everything we can.”

Other school leaders like John Murphy, principal of Walt Whitman High School in Huntington Station, said security protocols are constantly being reevaluated, especially for arrival and departure periods and when large groups congregate.

He said that on any given day there are about 20 internal and external security guards, who are retired law enforcement, as well as an armed guard patrolling the school buildings in case of an emergency.

The South Huntington district also uses the Rave Panic Button app, which is designed to cut the time it takes for police to respond to emergencies.

“It gives different layers of security measures,” he said.

Murphy, who has been principal for more than a decade, said the district’s and building safety plans are frequently reviewed and updated.

“I’m sad that this is going on in the world,” he said. “But I’m glad that districts are taking student safety seriously and that everyone is putting in measures to make sure our students remain as safe as possible.”

In response to other high-profile shootings, many schools on Long Island have begun adding armed guards to their campuses in recent years.

Emphasis on prevention

In Roosevelt, schools Superintendent Shawn Wightman said the district has security officers in every building, districtwide school resource officers, two-way radios, scanners at the high school and 24-hour cameras. It also uses the Rave app, he said.

"We continuously review and strengthen our safety measures with audits, training and collaboration with law enforcement," Wightman said in a statement.

Students and staff are trained in emergency procedures, and the district also conducts trauma-informed drills, according to Wightman. He noted that it’s equally important to invest in prevention through the use of counselors, social workers, restorative practices, as well as peer mediation.

“Safety is not just about locks and cameras — it’s about connection,” Wightman said. “By combining strong security measures with counseling, restorative practices and student voice, Roosevelt builds a culture where prevention comes first and every child knows they are supported and safe.”

With AP