A hero emerged during a nightmare on August 27 in Minneapolis
By Johanna Elattar
His name is Victor. He is ten years old, and he did something most adults only hope they would have the courage to do.
On August 27, 2025, the children at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis gathered inside the church for a back-to-school Mass. The air was full of song, candle wax, and the nervous excitement of a new school year. Then, without warning, the sound of breaking glass split the air—followed by the crack of gunfire.
A 23-year-old former student had opened fire with a rifle through the church’s windows.
In moments, the sanctuary became chaos.
Two children were killed. Seventeen others were wounded. And in the middle of that sudden storm, a ten-year-old boy chose love over fear.
Victor saw his best friend, 10-year-old Weston Halsne, frozen on the ground. Without hesitation, he threw himself over Weston’s body, trying to shield him from the bullets.
A child became a barrier.
A boy became a wall.
Victor was shot in the back while covering his friend. His sister, who was also in the church, was injured in the attack as well.
Around them, bravery spread like a chain reaction—older students shielding the younger ones, teachers and parishioners pulling children to safety, strangers holding each other down as the pews splintered. In the most terrifying moment of their lives, people reached for one another.
Victor was rushed from the sanctuary that had been their safe place only minutes before. He was hospitalized and treated for his injuries. And by sheer grace and grit, he survived. So did his sister.
Victor is now home, recovering with his family. Weston has spoken about what happened, his voice trembling as he described how his friend saved his life. A GoFundMe page has been created to help Victor’s family with his medical expenses, and support has poured in from across the country—notes from strangers, handmade cards from children, and prayers from people who may never meet him but will never forget what he did.
Authorities have identified the shooter as a former student who died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The attack is being investigated as both a hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism.
The community continues to mourn and to heal. Teachers have returned to classrooms, parents to their front doors, classmates to whispered conversations in the hall. Life is slowly knitting itself back together around a wound that will never fully close.
But through the grief, one truth stands clear: Victor’s courage has become a symbol of love stronger than fear.
He did not stop to calculate the odds.
He did not think about himself.
He only thought about Weston—and acted.
In the weeks since the tragedy, the bond between Victor and Weston has become a quiet source of strength for their classmates and community. They are often seen side by side, talking softly or simply sitting together, and their friendship has come to symbolize what so many are holding onto: that even in the aftermath of violence, love endures. Teachers speak of how the two boys check on each other during the school day, and parents say their story has reminded them—and their children—that compassion can be stronger than fear. In a place marked by heartbreak, Victor and Weston are helping to rebuild something fragile but powerful: hope.
There are moments when heroism wears uniforms and medals. And there are moments when it looks like a ten-year-old boy, trembling, bleeding, and refusing to let go of the friend beneath him.
Victor’s story is not only about tragedy—it is about loyalty, love, and the fierce instinct to protect. It reminds us that heroism is often quiet, unpolished, and born in an instant.
It is proof that even in our darkest hours, light can come from the smallest hands.
His name is Victor.
And he is the bravest boy.
If you’d like to donate to Victor for his ongoing medical bills, you can do so at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-for-victors-ongoing-medical-care
Johanna Elattar is a journalist and author whose work bridges personal narrative and investigative insight. Based in Hornell, NY, she writes for the Hornell Sun and Wellsville Sun, covering local stories, social justice, and national issues. Her reporting has been recognized internationally, her work is featured in the forthcoming 4th edition of Race & Racisms (Oxford University Press, 2026). Beyond journalism, Johanna is the author of the upcoming novella Hollow Echo and regularly explores complex topics with honesty, clarity, and depth, giving voice to overlooked communities and nuanced stories. You can reach her anytime, americangrrl70@gmail.com
