Two students were killed Wednesday after a 23-year-old gunman opened fire on children attending Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, authorities said. The attacker, identified as Robin Westman, used a rifle, shotgun, and pistol in the assault before dying from what officials believe was a self-inflicted gunshot in the school’s parking lot.
Videos recovered from Westman’s now-deleted YouTube channel revealed disturbing details. One clip showed a cache of weapons and magazines marked with messages including “Kill Donald Trump,” “Nuke India,” “Israel must fall,” and “For the children.” Other scrawled phrases read “Where is your God?” and referenced past school shooters. Westman also recorded a letter apologizing to family members for the impending attack.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the authenticity of the videos, calling the shooter a “deeply sick murderer” who “targeted our most vulnerable: young children praying in their first morning Mass of the school year.” She said the writings highlighted the ideological and violent nature of the attack.
Investigators said Westman had legally purchased the firearms and had no criminal record. The shooter, born Robert Westman, legally changed names in 2020 and identified as transgender. Officials emphasized that the attacker acted alone.
President Donald Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff nationwide in mourning. The Annunciation Catholic School tragedy marked the 146th school shooting in the United States this year, reigniting debates on gun laws and school security.
