Who Was Robin Westman? Minneapolis Church Shooter’s Disturbing Obsession with Violence

The gunman responsible for the tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis has been identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman. On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, what began as a routine school Mass quickly turned into horror when Westman opened fire from outside the church, firing through stained-glass windows at children, teachers, and parishioners.

Armed with an AR-15-style rifle, a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, and a 9mm pistol—which malfunctioned during the attack—Westman also barricaded several exits with wooden planks in an apparent attempt to trap people inside. In the chaos that followed, two children, 10-year-old Harper Moyski and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, were killed, and 18 others—including mostly students between the ages of 6 and 15—were wounded. Three elderly parishioners were also injured. Westman later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Troubling Evidence Revealed

In the aftermath, investigators discovered a collection of videos, writings, and journals that shed light on Westman’s violent mindset. Authorities say the materials revealed a deep fascination with mass murderers and detailed fantasies of carrying out similar attacks.

In online videos, Westman displayed a red spiral notebook filled with disturbing passages, sometimes written in Cyrillic script. He admitted that “mass murder has been on my mind for a while,” and expressed admiration for past school shooters. One journal contained disturbing praise for Adam Lanza, the perpetrator of the Sandy Hook massacre, calling him a “favorite.”

Weapons used in the attack were also inscribed with hateful and antisemitic messages, including extremist slogans and references to other mass killers. Investigators say Westman’s writings went beyond fantasy, laying out step-by-step planning, including analysis of school and church vulnerabilities, crowd behavior, and the timing of large gatherings. One passage described considering a strike during recess before deciding to target a Mass service.

A Quiet Background, No Criminal Record

Despite the violent content found after the attack, Westman had no prior criminal history. Raised in a quiet Richfield, Minnesota neighborhood, he had once been a student at Annunciation Catholic School, graduating from eighth grade in 2017.

At age 17, in 2019, Westman legally changed their name from Robert to Robin. Court records noted that Westman “identifies as a female,” though private writings revealed conflicted feelings about gender identity.

Authorities’ Response

Law enforcement officials are treating the shooting as a possible hate-motivated attack against Catholics, as well as an act of domestic terrorism. Investigators continue to examine the shooter’s online activity and personal journals to determine the full extent of planning and motivation.

A Community in Mourning

While the investigation unfolds, Minneapolis remains united in grief. The deaths of Fletcher and Harper have left two families devastated and a community shaken. Vigils, tributes, and calls for change continue as residents try to process the tragedy, demanding answers and searching for ways to prevent similar violence in the future.