Minneapolis Catholic church school shooter, Robin Westman posted a 10 minute video on YouTube which was later removed from the YouTube and other social media platforms. But full version of video is posted on Terabox, a cloud storage platform and can be Watched here.
On August 27, 2025, a tragic shooting occurred at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a morning Mass celebrating the start of the school year.
The shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, killed two children, aged 8 and 10, and injured 17 others, including 14 children, before dying by suicide. Below is a comprehensive overview of the incident and what is known about Robin Westman, based on available information. –
Date and Time: The shooting took place on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, around 8:30 a.m. local time, during a back-to-school Mass at Annunciation Catholic School, located in the Windom neighborhood of south Minneapolis, approximately 5 miles from downtown.
Incident Description
The shooter, positioned outside the church, fired dozens of rounds through the stained-glass windows into the congregation, targeting children and others attending the Mass.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the act as a “deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping,” calling it an act of “sheer cruelty and cowardice.”
The shooter used multiple weapons, including a rifle, a shotgun, and a handgun, firing an estimated 50 to 100 shots. Dozens of shell casings were found in the parking lot, indicating most shots were fired from outside, though investigators believe the shooter entered the church at some point.
A 2-by-4 was used to barricade a church door, suggesting premeditation. – A smoke bomb or firework was found at the scene, but no explosives or improvised devices were discovered. – The shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the rear of the church, and no other suspects were believed to be involved. –
Victims
– Two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed while seated in the church pews. – Seventeen others were injured, including 14 children, with two in critical condition. Victims ranged in age from 6 to 14.
Local hospitals, including Hennepin Healthcare and Children’s Minnesota, treated the injured. Hennepin County Medical Center received nine children and two adults, with four requiring surgery, while Children’s Minnesota admitted six children.
Response and Aftermath
Police and emergency services responded swiftly, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other agencies assisting. By 9:30 a.m., authorities confirmed the shooter was “contained” and there was no ongoing threat to the community.
A reunification zone was established at the school for parents and students. The school, which serves approximately 370 students from preschool to eighth grade, was closed pending the investigation, with no clear timeline for reopening.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the shooting, stating, “These kids were literally praying, it was the first week of school. They were in a church.” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, and former President Donald Trump also expressed condolences and condemned the violence. – The incident was classified as the 287th mass shooting in the United States in 2025, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun violence and school safety.
Who Was Robin Westman?
Identity and Background: – Robin Westman, aged 23, was identified as the shooter by multiple law enforcement sources and media outlets, though Minneapolis police did not officially release the name.
Westman was born Robert Paul Westman and legally changed their name to Robin M. Westman in January 2020 at age 17, with a court document noting that the minor “identifies as a female and wants her name to reflect that identification.”
Some reports and online discussions referred to Westman as a transgender male, though this has not been officially confirmed by authorities.
Westman lived in Richfield, a suburb of Minneapolis, and had a possible connection to Annunciation Catholic School through their mother, Mary Grace Westman, who worked at the school for five years before retiring in 2021.
The school praised her for her “wonderful hospitality, friendship, and compassion” in a 2021 social media post. – Westman had no significant criminal history, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
Online Activity and Possible Motive:
Authorities are investigating a series of disturbing videos allegedly posted by Westman online before the shooting. These videos, some of which were taken down, reportedly included:
A 20-minute video showing an individual flipping through a manifesto-style document with schematic gun diagrams and diary entries written in English and Russian. The document referenced suicide, school shootings, and the Annunciation Church.
Writings alluding to “extremely violent thoughts and ideas,” an apology to their family, and a handwritten drawing of a church’s interior layout, possibly Annunciation’s.
Gun magazines with phrases like “kill Donald Trump” and “for the children” written on them, as well as content suggesting an obsession with past mass shooters. These claims remain unverified by law enforcement.
The authenticity of these videos and their connection to Westman is still under investigation, and authorities have not confirmed a motive. Minneapolis Police Chief O’Hara noted that law enforcement is reviewing information left behind by the shooter to determine a motive.
Personal Details
– Neighbors described the Westman family as private, with some noting friendly interactions and others describing Robin as a “nonviolent kid.” Law enforcement was seen speaking with an older man and woman at the family’s home in Richfield, which was cordoned off for hours after the shooting.
Former Kentucky state lawmaker Bob Heleringer, who identified himself as Westman’s uncle, expressed grief, stating, “He was my nephew, and I wish he had shot me instead of innocent schoolchildren.” He noted he had not seen Westman in years and that the family lived in Minnesota, not Louisville.
Investigation and Community Impact
Ongoing Investigation: – Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Minneapolis Police, ATF, and FBI, are investigating the shooting, focusing on Westman’s motives, connections to the school, and the authenticity of the online videos.
No definitive motive has been established, and police have not confirmed unverified claims circulating online, such as those regarding Westman’s gender identity or specific ideological motivations. – The investigation includes examining how Westman obtained the weapons, though it is not yet known if they were legally purchased.
Community and Official Reactions: – The shooting has deeply shaken the Minneapolis community, particularly given its occurrence during a religious service and the start of the school year. Annunciation Catholic School, founded in 1923, emphasizes Christian values and serves around 391 students.
Bishop Jeffrey Walsh of the Diocese of Gaylord expressed solidarity with Archbishop Hebda, calling for prayers for the victims and the school community.
The incident has renewed discussions about gun violence and school safety, with local and federal officials describing it as a “horrific act of violence.”