FBI Investigates Minneapolis Catholic Church Massacre as Hate Crime and Domestic Terrorism

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

MINNEAPOLIS (Worthy News) – The FBI confirmed Wednesday that it is investigating the deadly shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School as both a domestic terrorism incident and a hate crime targeting Catholics.

FBI Director Kash Patel identified the alleged gunman as Robin Westman, 23, born Robert Westman, a transgender individual who reportedly turned the gun on himself after killing two children and wounding 17 others during a morning Mass attended by students.

“The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics,” Patel said in a statement on X. “We will continue to provide updates as we are able.”

The Attack

According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the assault unfolded just before 8:30 a.m. during the students’ first week of school. Westman approached the church from outside and opened fire through windows into the sanctuary, striking children and adults gathered for prayer.

Police said the attacker carried a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, and appeared intent on killing as many children as possible. He was found dead at the scene from what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities stressed that the suspect acted alone and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Victims

Seventeen people were injured in the massacre, including 15 children ranging in age from 6 to 16, and two adults. At least seven of the children remain in critical condition at local hospitals. The two fatalities were also children, ages eight and ten. Their names have not yet been released.

The Shooter

Court records show Westman legally changed his name from Robert to Robin in 2020. His mother had worked at the church until her retirement in 2021, and Westman himself had graduated from the school in 2017.

Law enforcement also recovered disturbing writings and videos in which Westman expressed deep self-loathing, regret over transitioning, and admiration for notorious mass shooters.

In a manifesto, he wrote of his fascination with Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza, describing that massacre as his “favorite exposure of school shootings.” Journals and videos revealed violent fantasies, anti-Catholic hatred, antisemitic slogans, and threats against former President Donald Trump.

Weapons seized from the crime scene carried chilling inscriptions such as “for the children,” “kill Donald Trump,” and Holocaust references including “six million wasn’t enough” and “extra Jew gas.” Other phrases included “Where is your god?” and “Israel must fall.”

Community Response

The Annunciation Catholic Church community has been left devastated as families grieve the loss of two young lives and pray for the recovery of the wounded.

“This was meant to terrify, to desecrate, to target people of faith,” a parish leader said after the attack.

Authorities are continuing to examine Westman’s online postings, manifesto, and encrypted journal entries to better understand the motive behind the attack.

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