Additional Coverage:
- Who is Robin Westman, suspect in Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis? (foxnews.com)
Minneapolis School Shooting Claims Lives of Two Children
A tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has left two children dead and 17 others injured. The shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, opened fire during morning Mass on Wednesday.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that Westman was armed with a legally purchased rifle, pistol, and shotgun. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Westman was born Robert and later identified as Robin.
Court records indicate a legal name change from Robert Paul Westman to Robin M. Westman in 2019, at the request of Westman’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, who cited her child’s female identification.
Mary Grace Westman is listed as a former parish secretary at Annunciation Catholic School.
Westman reportedly attended Annunciation through eighth grade and later St. Thomas Academy.
Brief employment at a marijuana dispensary followed high school. Disturbing online videos posted by an individual using the name Robin Westman surfaced after the shooting, depicting handwritten notes, weapons with painted messages, and commentary.
These videos have since been removed.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed authorities were aware of a manifesto timed for release, purportedly showing Westman at the scene and containing disturbing written content. O’Hara stated that all firearms used were legally obtained by Westman, who had no prior criminal record. He added that the investigation is following a “classic pathway to an active shooter,” but a specific motive remains unclear despite evidence of “a whole lot of hate against a whole variety of people.”
Westman’s uncle, former Kentucky lawmaker Bob Heleringer, expressed his grief, saying, “He was my nephew, and I wish he had shot me instead of innocent schoolchildren.” Heleringer stated he had limited contact with Westman in recent years.
Police executed four search warrants – one at the school and three at residences in the Minneapolis metro area – recovering additional writings and numerous pieces of evidence.
The two deceased children were aged 8 and 10. Ten victims were transported to Hennepin Healthcare, with several initially in critical condition. While all injured are expected to survive, three children remain hospitalized at Children’s Minnesota.
The FBI is investigating the incident as both a hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism. President Donald Trump and other officials have commented on the tragedy. Minneapolis Police Department confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the community.