Who is Robin Westman? Details Emerge in Minneapolis School Shooting Investigation

The tragic school shooting at Minneapolis’s Annunciation Church, which left two children dead and 17 others injured, has drawn international attention as a devastating act of violence. The FBI has launched a full-scale investigation, labeling the attack an anti-Catholic hate crime and domestic terrorism. The individual responsible for the attack has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman, and as more details emerge, the motive behind the horrifying incident is beginning to be pieced together.

The Suspect and the Tragic Attack

Authorities say that Robin Westman died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after opening fire on the church. The attack occurred during Mass, as children were celebrating the start of a new school term. The suspect used three firearms—a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol—to fire dozens of shots through the church’s windows from the outside. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the act as “deliberate violence against innocent children” and called the shooter’s actions “incomprehensible.”

Police also found a smoke bomb at the scene and have since located a note that Westman had scheduled to publish online at the time of the shooting. While authorities have not released the contents of the note, it is considered a key piece of evidence in their investigation into the motive.

A Personal History and a Connection to the School

The investigation has uncovered a direct link between the attacker and the school. According to a 2016 school newsletter, Robin Westman‘s mother, Mary Grace Westman, was a staff member at the Annunciation school and retired from her role in 2021. This personal connection has raised questions about the motive for the attack.

In addition, Minnesota court records show that the attacker’s name was legally changed from Robert to Robin in 2020, with the judge writing in the application that the “Minor child identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.” This detail has prompted public commentary from figures like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who both addressed the sensitive nature of the topic in their public statements.

A Community in Mourning

As the investigation continues, the community of Minneapolis is left to mourn and find a way forward. A constant stream of mourners have gathered at the scene, leaving flowers and expressions of grief. Stories of heroism and selflessness from the attack’s survivors have also come to light, with one boy telling a news affiliate that his friend saved him from a bullet by lying on top of him. The attack has drawn condolences from political leaders, including President Donald Trump and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who expressed a hope that no other community would ever have to experience such a day.