The individual who killed two children in a Minnesota church wrote inflammatory messages on his weapon magazines, including ‘Kill Donald Trump’ and ‘Israel must die.’ These images appeared in a manifesto-style video published on YouTube around the same time as the shooting at a Minneapolis church. The FBI has removed the footage and is analyzing its contents.
The Minneapolis shooter, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, was a graduate of the Annunciation Elementary School in 2017, according to CNN. His mother had worked at the institution from 2016 to 2021.
For the umpteenth time in the United States, the lives of at least two children have been cut short by gun violence at school, just three days into the new academic year. The FBI announced it is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism and a “hate crime against Catholics,” stated Agency Director Kash Patel.
American media, citing his social media, report that Westman identified as transgender. At 17, he had requested to change his name from Robert to Robin. The shooter left behind online videos referencing suicide and “extremely violent thoughts and ideas,” an apology letter to his family, and a hand-drawn sketch of a church’s interior. Another disturbing video, believed to be published by him, shows the phrases “kill Donald Trump” and “for the children” scrawled on gun magazines. Other YouTube videos displayed various weapons, including a semi-automatic rifle and a pump-action shotgun, and revealed an obsession with mass shooters, including Sandy Hook killer Adam Lanza. Police are working to confirm if the videos, shared online hours before the attack, are connected to the shooter.
The latest shooting occurred at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, which serves children from kindergarten through middle school. The attack took place in the church on the school grounds at 8:30 a.m., where students and teachers were gathered for mass before classes began—a moment of serenity shattered by the sound of dozens of shots fired from outside. The killer, a young man dressed in black, fired a rifle and two pistols through the church windows after failing to gain entry. Shocked witnesses reported that children were shot in the neck and back.
Pope Francis said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injuries” and sent his “heartfelt condolences,” assuring his “spiritual closeness to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, particularly the families now mourning the loss of a child,” in a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
Two children, aged just 8 and 10, were killed while sitting in the pews attending mass. Fourteen others were wounded, with at least seven in serious condition; the injured children range in age from 6 to 14. Three wounded adults were also hospitalized. One witness described the scene to media: “I was happy to see the children come out unharmed and safe, but only the expression on their faces, the screams of the moms who didn’t know where their children were.” Police defined the attack as “a deliberate act of violence against innocent children.” After the rampage, the shooter, who was also carrying a type of homemade firework likely intended to create smoke, died by suicide. Little is yet known about him, though he may have been a former student or employee of the school. Police are searching his car for any clues to understand the motive for such a horrific act.
Former President Donald Trump called Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. President Joe Biden called it a “tragic shooting,” adding, “we pray for the people involved.” On social media, he wrote, “I pray for our kids and teachers, whose first week of school was shattered by this horrific act of violence.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, visibly strained, stated at a press conference, “There are no words to express the severity, the tragedy, or the absolute pain of this moment.” The shooting occurred just hours after another incident in the city left seven people wounded. Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar also expressed her sorrow on social media.
In a social media post, Vice President JD Vance said he was close to the victims. Some users pointed out with dismay that he once said “school shootings are a fact of life” while he was a vice-presidential candidate for Ohio last September. The problem is that school shootings are, in fact, common in the United States. According to Education Week data, there have been seven school shootings with injuries or deaths since the start of the year. The Gun Violence Archive reports there have already been over 190 mass shootings in the country this year.
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