Minneapolis Catholic school shooter Robin Westman: What we know
Share and Follow

This story is developing. Refresh for updates.

() Authorities identified the shooter who opened fire during morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis as 23-year-old Robin Westman, who legally purchased multiple firearms and left behind a “manifesto.”

FBI director Kash Patel said the organization is investigating the shooting “as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.”

“The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman,” Patel said.

The shooting took place during an all-school Mass at the Annunciation School, a private school on the south side of the city.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said he couldn’t confirm if this was an attack directed against Catholics. Officials said that the suspect acted alone, and a motive is still under investigation.

Mayor Jacob Frey urged against using the tragedy to target the transgender community.

Minneapolis school shooter scrawled anti-Trump, religious messages on rifle

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that certain phrases, including “Kill Donald Trump,” were written on one of Westman’s rifle magazines.

Investigators said the writings matched portions of a video “manifesto” posted online before the attack, which has since been removed by the FBI.

O’Hara confirmed there was “some sort of manifesto that was timed to come out on YouTube. It’s been taken down, and our investigators are going through that to try to develop a motive.”

In the video, the shooter films several guns, including a rifle and a pistol, for what appears to be a detailed, planned attack. The shooter also shows a bevy of bullets and gun magazines. 

Robin Westman is seen in a screen grab from a YouTube video. Authorities identified Westman as the shooter who opened fire during morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic School (Reuters)

The firearms and magazines had notes and drawings scrawled in a silver pen. 

One read “kill Donald Trump,” according to the Department of Homeland Security. Another had the names of other mass shooters. Some weapons and magazines also had racial and antigay slurs written.   

The shooter appeared to be fixated on guns and pans the video to an arsenal of weapons and firearms equipment, including used target paper and shooting gloves.

Minneapolis Catholic school shooter changed name at 17

Court documents reveal that at age 17, Westman’s first name changed from Robert to Robin.

The documents were filed by Westman’s mother and were signed by a judge on Jan. 15, 2020.

Police say Robin Westman died outside church

O’Hara said the shooter killed themselves in the parking lot outside the church.

“During the Mass, a gunman approached on the outside on the side of building and began firing a rifle through the church windows towards the children sitting in pews at the mass,” O’Hara said. “The sheer cruelty and cowardness of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.”

O’Hara said it appeared that most, if not all, of the shooting occurred outside the building. He also noted that the shooter had placed a 2-by-4 on the outside of a door on the side they were shooting from.

Robin Westman had no criminal record

O’Hara said the shooter, dressed in black, was armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, adding that he did not have a known criminal history. He added that it is unclear if the shooter was a former student of the school or an employee.

“We are looking through information left behind to try and determine some type of motive,” O’Hara said.

Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the app. Download it here.

What we know about the Annunciation School in Minneapolis

O’Hara said 19 people were shot, including two children, ages 8 and 10, who died at the scene. 

Other victims ranged from ages 6 to 15, along with several elderly adults attending the church service. 

Classes began on Monday for the school, which serves pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Krispy Kreme brings football-shaped doughnuts, $1 dozen deal to college championship day

Score Sweet Deals: Krispy Kreme’s Football-Shaped Doughnuts & $1 Dozen Offer for College Championship Day!

Krispy Kreme is scoring a touchdown with its latest offering just in…
Steelers open to keeping Aaron Rodgers with Mike McCarthy interview on tap

Steelers Consider Retaining Aaron Rodgers as Mike McCarthy Interview Approaches

There’s still a glimmer of hope for the Pittsburgh Steelers to retain…
John Mayer delivers tearful eulogy for late Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir

Emotional Farewell: John Mayer’s Heartfelt Eulogy Honors Grateful Dead Icon Bob Weir

John Mayer paid a heartfelt tribute to his friend and mentor, Bob…
Minneapolis posts anti-ICE video promoting 'peaceful protest' and unity

Minneapolis Shares Video Encouraging Unity and Peaceful Protest Against ICE

On Friday, the city of Minneapolis released a video message advocating for…
Will There Be A Season 3 of ‘Landman’ on Paramount+?

Landman Season 3: What Fans Can Expect and Latest Updates on Its Paramount+ Future

The curtain has officially fallen on the second season of Paramount+’s runaway…
Infectious disease expert reveals the viruses to worry about in 2026

Top Viruses to Watch Out for in 2026: Expert Insights on Emerging Infectious Threats

The dawn of a new year often brings with it the potential…
A UFO beamed cryptic messages into a US soldier's mind

US Soldier Claims Mind-Altering Encounter with UFO: Deciphering the Mystery of Cryptic Alien Messages

The renowned Rendlesham Forest UFO encounter is once again capturing public interest…
Mika Zibanejad has full say in his Rangers fate after Letter 2.0

Mika Zibanejad Takes Control of His Future with the Rangers After Significant Team Update

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mika Zibanejad stands as the sole Ranger who has…