School shooting in Minnesota leaves two children dead

A 23-year-old former student opened fire at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, killing two children and injuring 17 others.

On 27/8, Robin Westman, 23, brought three guns to Annunciation Catholic School in south Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Westman approached the adjacent Annunciation Church and fired a rifle, handgun, and shotgun through the windows during a prayer service marking the first week of school. Students and teachers were attending the service.

Two children, aged 8 and 10, died at the scene. Seventeen others were injured, including 14 students. Two of the injured are in critical condition.

After the attack, Westman died by suicide behind the church.

Robin Westman, the suspect in the Minnesota school shooting. Photo: FOX News

Robin Westman, the suspect in the Minnesota school shooting. Photo: FOX News

US media reported that Westman was a former student of the school and familiar with the church. Westman's mother worked in the church's business office for five years before retiring in 2021.

Westman was assigned male at birth, named Robert Westman. At 17, Westman petitioned the court to change their name to Robin, stating, "I identify as female and want my name to reflect this." Westman's mother supported the petition.

Legal documents subsequently recognized Westman as female, but FBI Director Kash Patel referred to the suspect as male.

Earlier this year, Westman worked at a local cannabis dispensary. The motive remains unclear, but Westman is believed to have acted alone, planning the attack carefully. Westman blocked the doors before opening fire and had scheduled a video "manifesto" to be posted on YouTube.

Other videos on social media showed Westman expressing discontent and resentment. Westman also displayed hand-drawn diagrams of the church's interior alongside ammunition magazines labeled with phrases like, "For the children" and "Where is your God?".

Westman displayed ammunition magazines with hateful messages on social media. Photo: Vox News

Westman displayed ammunition magazines with hateful messages on social media. Photo: Vox News

Westman's videos also showed journal pages, including an LGBTQ pride flag sticker and a gun with the slogan "protect equality." These videos have been removed at the request of the FBI.

Authorities stated that the three guns used were legally purchased. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics.

US President Donald Trump said he was "fully briefed" on the tragedy. "The White House will continue to monitor the situation. Let us all pray for those involved," he posted on social media.

The 27/8 shooting was the 4th in 24 hours in Minneapolis, Minnesota's largest city, resulting in five deaths and at least 25 injuries. The US has seen over 140 school shootings at elementary and high schools this year.