A horrific tragedy occurred inside a Minneapolis church on Wednesday morning when a 23-year-old trans-identifying gunman stormed Annunciation Catholic School.
Minneapolis church attacked by trans shooter
The suspect fired off multiple weapons during a morning Mass and leaving a trail of devastation that claimed the lives of two young children.
Authorities identified the assailant as Robin Westman, who was born Robert Westman.
Investigators revealed that Westman had a personal connection to the institution, with his mother, Mary Grace Westman, having previously worked at the school.
Records show she officially retired from the school in 2021. Local outlets reported that Robin himself attended Annunciation at least briefly and had been seen on the grounds just last week while teachers were preparing classrooms for the new school year.
Law enforcement disclosed that Robert legally changed his name to Robin in 2020, a process requiring his mother’s approval since he was still underage at the time.
Documents from the Minnesota government showed that the reason listed was that he “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”
On Wednesday, Westman arrived heavily armed with three firearms: a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol.
Minneapolis church shooter barricaded the exits
According to police, he fired dozens of rounds inside the church while students and teachers gathered for Mass.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara explained that the gunman attempted to block exits by barricading side doors with wooden planks before unleashing the deadly assault.
Two children, aged 8 and 10, were fatally shot, while 17 others — including 14 children — sustained injuries.
Authorities said the shooter eventually turned one of the weapons on himself, dying of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Disturbing online videos posted under an account believed to belong to Westman surfaced Wednesday morning.
The footage showed weapons scrawled with chilling phrases such as “Where is your God?,” “Kill Donald Trump,” “I’m the woker, baby,” and “Why so Queerious?”
The alleged shooter of a Minneapolis Catholic Church posted a deranged YouTube video before the shooting showing Jesus on a target board, as well as the weapons he used which said things like
“Where is your God?”
“Kill Donald Trump”
“Why so Queerious?” pic.twitter.com/3dY5sTF25m
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 27, 2025
In one clip, a picture of the crucified Jesus was used as target practice. While handling ammunition, Westman declared, “I’m sorry to my family, but that’s it — that’s the only people I’m sorry to. F**k those kids.”
Another segment included him saying, “I regret everything. I didn’t ask for life. You didn’t ask for death.”
One of the videos also displayed an alleged manifesto filled with writing resembling the Cyrillic alphabet.
Analysts later confirmed parts of the text translated from Russian, including a phrase that read, “I’m a terrorist.”
In another disturbing moment, Westman stabbed a page depicting the church interior before concluding with the words, “That’s all I do: I fall, I break, and I die.”
Minneapolis church shooting investigated as terrorist attack
Federal authorities quickly labeled the incident an act of terrorism. FBI Director Kash Patel said, “The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.”
Updates on the shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota:
The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.
There were 2 fatalities, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old. In addition, 14 children and 3 adults were injured.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) August 27, 2025
Patel confirmed the death toll at two children and added that 14 minors and three adults were among the wounded.
“The shooter has been identified as Robin Westman, a male born as Robert Westman,” he wrote.
“The FBI will continue to provide updates on our ongoing investigation with the public as we are able.”
Police Chief O’Hara told reporters that while the loss of life was devastating, there was relief that all of the surviving victims were expected to recover.
“I believe all of them have their parents with them now. And they are all expected to survive,” O’Hara stated.
He added that the injuries ranged from minor to severe but none were considered fatal.
Authorities searching Westman’s vehicle discovered what they described as a “smoke bomb firework” among other items.
O’Hara bluntly referred to the shooter as a “coward” for taking his own life in the back of the church after carrying out the massacre.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the scene heartbreaking and vowed that the city would do everything possible to support the grieving families.
“Children are dead, you cannot put into words the gravity, tragedy or absolute pain of this moment,” Frey said.
“There are no words that capture the horror of this unspeakable act. Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school.”
The mayor urged residents to think of the tragedy as if it had struck their own households.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: "Don't just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now: these kids were literally praying." pic.twitter.com/o1yOdUKBqO
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 27, 2025
“Those families are suffering immense pain right now. Think of this as if it were your own,” he said solemnly.
Trump releases statement about attack
As police, FBI agents, and medical responders swarmed the scene, President Donald Trump released a statement confirming he had been fully briefed on the attack.
The White House said it was closely monitoring the situation. Later in the day, Trump ordered flags across the nation to be lowered to half-staff.
“As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff,” his proclamation read.
The president described the rampage as a “senseless act of violence” and urged the country to pray for the victims.
Reports indicated that Trump personally called Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to extend condolences.
Walz thanked the president for his support in a statement earlier that morning, noting the shared grief felt across the state.
