On August 27, 2025, 23-year-old Robin Westman carried out a tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a morning Mass. Westman, who legally changed their name from Robert to Robin in 2020, killed two children, aged 8 and 10, and injured 17 others, including 14 children and three elderly parishioners, before dying by suicide. The attack involved firing dozens of rounds through the church’s stained-glass windows using three legally purchased firearms: a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol.
Westman, who identified as transgender, expressed complex feelings about gender identity in writings and videos posted online before the attack. In a notebook, Westman wrote, “I don’t want to dress girly all the time but I guess sometimes I really like it. I know I am not a woman but I definitely don’t feel like a man.” They also described their outfit for the attack, noting, “I look pretty, smart and modest. I think I want to wear something like this for my shooting,” and mentioned wearing all black during the assault. These writings, partially in Cyrillic script, were part of a manifesto-like document shared on a now-deleted YouTube channel, which also showcased an arsenal of weapons with disturbing messages like “kill Donald Trump,” “for the children,” and antisemitic phrases.
Westman’s motives remain unclear, though their writings revealed an obsession with mass shooters, particularly Adam Lanza of the Sandy Hook shooting, and a fascination with violence. The attack was planned, with Westman barricading church doors and scouting the location, where their mother had worked until 2021. The FBI is investigating the incident as a possible hate crime and act of domestic terrorism targeting Catholics. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned efforts to vilify the transgender community in response to the tragedy, emphasizing the need to focus on the victims.
